Churchill keen to finish on a high as I-League set for thrilling finale with four teams in fray

Panaji: It’s a title race like no other, and the stakes are higher too.
The I-League has seen some thrilling action in the past with teams snatching the title on the concluding day. But this season’s battle in Indian football’s second-tier club competition has been extraordinary with four clubs now in contention to win the title, and consequently a place in next season’s Indian Super League (ISL).
On Sunday, six teams will be involved in three matches to be played across the country. Four of them, Churchill Brothers, Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir and Gokulam Kerala, can win the I-League crown, depending on the results.
So, who are the favourites?
Based on the I-League table alone, Churchill have everything in their own hands. Should they draw in Kashmir, they will finish on top. A win will be even better for the two-time former champions, since the pending appeal for three points from Inter Kashi will then be out of the equation.
“It is the biggest game in my life so far,” Churchill defender Lamgoulen Hangshing told TOI on the eve of the clash. “We are doing well in training and are preparing for this clash in the right manner. We have worked hard, and hopefully by God’s grace, we will lift the trophy.
Given their form all through the season, Churchill will back themselves to deliver in the concluding clash. But there’s just one hitch: no visiting team has been able to win in Srinagar this year. Real Kashmir have won seven of their ten matches at home, with the other three ending in draws. Across all home games, they have conceded just seven goals making life difficult for their opponents.
“We are facing a very, very, very, very difficult team,” said Churchill coach Dimitris Dimitriou. “They are a team with the best record in home games. It makes our job harder and more difficult.”
Churchill could have finished the title race in the penultimate game last week but only managed a 2-2 draw against Inter Kashi at home, scoring the equaliser in stoppage time. Now they have another chance.
“There are four teams who can possibly win the title and all of them are under pressure. We are part of this quartet. I hope at the end of the day, it’s a pleasant one for us. We have to respect Real Kashmir and play as good as we can. We need the maximum from this game,” said Dimitriou.
Real Kashmir are nursing title ambitions of their own. It’s quite a task: defeat Churchill by at least three goals and hope Gokulam Kerala do not edge past Dempo, results that will help them to their first-ever crown.
The big prize? A ticket to the top-tier ISL next season.
It’s something Gokulam Kerala have been dreaming for a while. Winner of two consecutive I-League titles in 2020-21 and 2021-22, Gokulam Kerala have finished third in the last two editions, crucially when the winners have been promoted to the ISL. They were never quite in the race this time around but six wins in the last seven games have thrown them a lifeline.
Gokulam have to defeat Dempo at home and hope for favours from Real Kashmir and Rajasthan United, who face Inter Kashi, to win the I-League for the third time.
Given the squad that they built, and of course the signing of multiple ISL winner, Antonio Lopes Habas, as coach, Inter Kashi were every neutral’s favourite to become champions. They somehow lost their way and now their fate is not in their hands.
They need a favourable verdict from the AIFF appeals committee which is deciding on the three points against Namdhari FC, and a win against Rajasthan United. A draw might also be enough but that will involve complicated permutations; Churchill and Gokulam Kerala both dropping points.
It's a complicated title race but a very exciting one.
WINNING EQUATION
Churchill: Get at least a point against Real Kashmir or lose by two goals and hope Gokulam Kerala drop points against Dempo
Gokulam Kerala: Defeat Dempo and hope Real Kashmir edge past Churchill
Real Kashmir: Defeat Churchill by at least three goals and hope Gokulam Kerala don't win against Dempo
Inter Kashi: Pending a favourable verdict from the AIFF appeal committee, Inter Kashi must win against Rajasthan and hope Churchill do not win against Real Kashmir