Three-way battle for Top Scorer award set to go down to the wire on Hero I-League D-Day
NEW DELHI: With just the last round of fixtures remaining, three teams – Gokulam Kerala FC, TRAU FC and Churchill Brothers FC Goa – are in the running to be crowned champions of the Hero I-League 2020-21. The title could very well be decided with the last kick of the championship, with two matches featuring the competing sides set to kick-off simultaneously on Saturday (March 27, 2021) at 5 PM IST.
To add to the thrill and excitement, even the race for the league’s Top Scorer Award is tantalisingly poised to go right down to the wire as the three front-runners will be in action at the same time on Saturday and just one goal separating them.
Leading the charts is none other than TRAU FC’s Bidyashagar Singh, who has 11 goals to his name so far and will be hoping to add more to his tally on the final day. He found the net for the first time in a 2-0 win against Chennai City FC and then scored in a 1-1 draw against Churchill Brothers.
However, he came roaring up the scoring charts as he scored a whopping nine times in four consecutive games – including back-to-back hat-tricks against Mohammedan Sporting and Real Kashmir – both of which came in the second phase of the tournament.
Behind him are two foreign imports – Churchill Brothers’ Luka Majcen and Gokulam Kerala FC’s Dennis Antwi with 10 goals each. The Slovenian Majcen started off the campaign in a dazzling manner as he registered a brace in his first outing and has gone on to form a formidable pairing up top with fellow forward Clayvin Zuniga.
He has consistently been among the goals, with his ability to be in the right place at the right time proving to be fruitful, and has also proved to be a reliable penalty-taker, scoring from the spot most recently in the 1-1 draw against TRAU. It was his last-second header against Chennai City that rescued two points for his team as well. Come Saturday, he would certainly be wanting to score more and finish on top of the scoring charts.
Last but certainly not least, we have Ghana international Dennis Antwi, who has been in red-hot form in the championship phase of the competition – scoring six goals in four games and taking his team to the top of the table with one game to play.
He started off with a bang, scoring on the opening day and then showcasing his prowess with a brilliant brace in his team’s memorable 4-3 victory against RoundGlass Punjab FC. Antwi only found the net once in his next eight games but his recent run has seen him surge up the top scorer list and emerge as a contender for the Golden Boot. With a win on the final day guaranteeing the title victory for Gokulam, the dream scenario for Antwi would be to lift both – the Hero I-League and Top Scorer trophies – on D-Day.
HISTORY BECKONS FOR BIDYASHAGAR?
Only one Indian in Hero I-League history has finished as the league’s top goalscorer – and that person is none other than Blue Tigers captain Sunil Chhetri, who scored 14 goals for Bengaluru FC in the 2013-14 season as the Blues went on to lift the trophy. Chhetri shared the Top Scorer award Salgaocar’s Darryl Duffy, but should Bidyashagar maintain his lead at the top of the scoring charts this season, he could become the first Indian forward to be the outright top scorer in any Hero I-League campaign – a monumental feat.
After 2013-14, Bidyashagar is the only Indian to have registered goals in double digits in a single Hero I-League season, with the next best being Jobby Justin’s haul of nine goals in 2018-19 for East Bengal.
In fact, only three players have finished as the top Indian goalscorer in a Hero I-League campaign with more goals than Bidyashagar’s current tally. Sunil Chhetri scored 14 in 2013-14 while Mohammed Rafi also scored the same number of goals for Mahindra United in 2009-10, followed by Jeje Lalpekhlua’s tally of 12 goals for the Arrows in the 2010-11 season.
CREDITS: AIFF MEDIA
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read:IKF conclude tournament in UP, set to conduct upcoming event at Bangalore
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / MFA Super League
Redefining Mumbai Football: The unique approach of India On Track FC
In a football landscape where clubs often prioritize short-term success over long-term sustainability, India On Track FC (IOT FC) stands out as a beacon of dedication, unity, and unwavering commitment…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant produce magnificent triumph to storm into second straight ISL final after 2-0 win against Odisha FC
Kolkata, April 28: Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged triumphant against the Odisha FC by 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight to win the second leg of their…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
Mumbai City FC ease past FC Goa to set up blockbuster grand finale clash against ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai, April 29: Mumbai City FC set up a finals date with the Mohun Bagan Super Giant after defeating FC Goa by 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC Seals Penultimate Game with Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Reliance FYC
Yogesh Kadam’s First-Half Brace Propels MH Oranje FC Toward a Strong Season Finish. MH Oranje FC clinched a significant 2-1 win over Reliance FYC in the penultimate game of the…
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners after remarkable 3-1 comeback win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners Kolkata, May 4: Mumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…