I-League 2021/22 is set to experience another thrilling finish as the defending champions Gokulam Kerala will fight to retain the trophy while Mohammedan SC will go for a crazy finish by snatching the trophy.
Just like the I-League 2020/21, the previous season, the ongoing I-League competition will only assure the winners after the last game of the season. In the previous season, Gokulam Kerala secured their maiden I-League trophy on the final day of the tournament. Though they had the same 29 points as Churchill Brothers in the final points table, the Kerala team claimed that title due to their better head-to-head records against Churchill Brothers.
We can see a very similar incident this Saturday (14th May) evening, when the top two teams of the latest points table, Gokulam Kerala and Mohammedan SC, will meet in the last game of this season.
Present scenario: Gokulam Kerala 40 points and Mohammedan SC 37 points
In the I-League 2021/22, Gokulam Kerala are leading the Championship stage points table with 40 points in 17 games (12 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss). Mohammedan are just three points behind Kerala as they have 37 points after 17 matches (11 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses).
How can Gokulam Kerala win the I-League 2021/22 trophy?
If Gokulam Kerala at least manage to draw in their final outing in this competition, they will hold the title as winning the trophy for the second successive time. While Kerala will have 41 points in 18 matches with a draw result or 43 points in 18 games with a winning result, they will have at least three more points than the second positioned team by avoiding a defeat.
How can Mohammedan SC snatch the I-League 2021/22 trophy?
But there are a lot of chances for dramas on the final day as Mohammedan will have to go for all-out because of their must-win game in this tournament. If they manage to claim a victory against the Kerala team, Mohammedan will also have 40 points in 18 games.
As the points will be equal for both the teams with 40 points in 18 games, we have to look at the head-to-head records in their meeting in this I-League season. As they had a 1-1 draw result in their first meeting of this season, Mohammedan will surely win the title if they manage to beat the defending champions this Saturday evening.
The winners of this I-League season will also qualify for the playoffs 2023/24 for the AFC Cup Group Stage spot.
What is waiting?
Gokulam Kerala are on the verge of creating a new history by becoming the first team to win I-League titles in two successive seasons.
Meanwhile, Mohammedan can record their first-ever I-League title with a victory.
Around 40,000 people can present at the Salt Lake stadium (Kolkata) in this final-day drama of the I-League 2021/22, as Mohammedan will have great home support on that evening.
