2019 Calcutta Football League Premier Division
thebeautifulgame
Durgapur,India30491 Points
The football season in Kolkata is once again at the doorway for another season, as the Calcutta Football League (CFL) kickoff on 26 July at the Mohun Bagan Ground. One of the most popular regional leagues in the country, the CFL will see Kolkata giants Quess East Bengal, Mohun Bagan as well as Mohammedan Sporting take part in the tournament. Bagan, the reigning champions, had a disappointing term in the I-League last season despite winning the CFL, but have undergone massive changes in the squad as new boss Kibu Vicuna prepares to defend the title for the Mariners.
On the other hand, East Bengal, who finished as runners-up in both the CFL and the I-League last season, will be playing without their hitman Jobby Justin who left for ATK this summer. However, the Red and Gold have made several interesting signings and are expected to promote several youngsters to the senior squad for the tournament this season.
Mohammedan Sporting, who recently appointed Subrata Bhattacharya as head coach have also roped in former Gokulam Kerala star Mudde Musa to their side. Head coach Subrata Bhattacharya feels that the 2019 edition of the tournament will be the hardest of the league in recent times. “I have no doubts that this will be by far, the toughest Calcutta Football League campaign in years and that is why we are preparing like never before,” Bhattacharya said.
Here is everything you need to know about the league this year:
Venue
The first round of the Calcutta Football League (CFL) will be played in different stadiums. These are the Mohun Bagan Ground, East Bengal Ground, Mohammedan Ground, Barasat Stadium, Howrah Stadium and Gayeshpur Stadium.
Teams
The participants in the premier division of the Calcutta Football League are:
Mohun Bagan AC, Quess East Bengal FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Peerless SC, BSS Sporting Club, Southern Samity, New Barrackpore Rainbow AC, Bhowanipore Club, Kalighat Milan Sangha, Calcutta Customs Club, Aryan Club and George Telegraph.
Telecast
The Calcutta Football League 2019 will be telecast live on Sadhna News in and around Kolkata. The channel is also available for free on YouTube and Jio TV.
https://khelnow.com/news/article/calcutta-football-league-everything-you-need-to-know
Let the discussions begin!
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Top five underdog teams in Calcutta Football League 2019
As the Kolkata teams kicks-off their next season with the Calcutta Football League (CFL) on Friday, many eyes will be upon them. One of the most competitive football tournaments in India, the CFL have time and again, proved its glitters as it has played out memorable games and unearthed several stars. As the 2019 edition of the league starts with Mohun Bagan, the reigning champions take on Peerless, one of the few dark horses from last season, we take a look at five of the underachievers who will be determined to leave their mark this season.
1. Southern Samity
A team that can really give a run for their money to the others in the league this season. With overseas signings like Dipanda Dicka, Kalu Ogba , Teah Dennis Junior (former Liberia captain) and Mahmoud Al-Amna (former Aizawl, East Bengal & Minerva Punjab midfielder), the club is looking stronger than ever.
Former Indian international Mehtab Hossain has been appointed as the technical director of the side. Mehtab, with his vast experience of playing in the big Indian clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will definitely be an important figure to the side. Not to forget seasoned veterans like Jewel Raja and Ashim Biswas, who will also bring stability to this side which will be crucial for them in their quest for the title in 2019.
2. BSS Sporting Club
Within only three years of it's formation, the club has left its mark in the Calcutta Football League. With their most recent success coming in 2017, when the became the champions of the CFL First division.
The club have made overseas signings such as William Opoku and Bright Middleton, who are expected to be on display during the league. Opuko has previously been an I-League Champion with Minerva Punjab in the 2017-2018 season where Middleton has prior experience of playing for Aizawl and Gokulam Kerala FC.
The club has also appointed Former Mohammedan Sporting head coach Raghu Nandy, as the new Technical Director of the club for this season and will surely have a lot of hopes pinned on their shoulders.
3. Bhawanipore FCAnother club that will definitely want to lay their claim to the throne is Bhawanipore FC . After getting promoted to the top division this season the club will surely be looking forward to impress with their performance. With Shankarlal Chakraborty (former Mohun Bagan head coach and last year's CFL winner) in their ranks the club is poised to show it's growth this season.
4. Peerless S.C.
The runners-up last season, Peerless will definitely look to forget about missing out on the title in 2018 and come in with renewed vigour. A difference of four points with the champions Mohun Bagan may have marred their chances but the quality of football that was displayed by the club was nothing short of spectacular.
Ansumana Kromah became the top scorer of the CFL last season with 11 goals. If they can keep up the energy from last season and find a proven goalscorer, this team will surely become a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
5. New Barrackpore Rainbow AC
One of the biggest surprises from Calcutta Football League 2018, Rainbow will once again make an appearance in the league this season. The club exceeded expectations with their performance in the last season under the coaching of Tarit Ghosh, however, conceded some poor goals in crunch fixtures.
This season, Prasanta Chakraborty has taken up the mantle of the head coach, who is known for his compact gameplay and is expected to deliver favorable results compared to last year. With a strong forward in the side like Joel Sunday, the club has every reason to be confident about their performance this season.
https://khelnow.com/news/article/calcutta-football-league-2019-top-five-underdog-teams
Live updates can be obtained here (very slow though)
http://www.kolkatafootball.com/live_update/index.html
Where's Ram Malik btw ??
1) Ram Malik
2) Budhiram Tudu
3) Prohlad Roy
4) Abinash Ruidas
I am sure I have a missed a few names, but these guys wasted their opportunities and couldn't cash them in. You can't expect top clubs in the country to carry you along if you can't perform.
Here's a write-up about how he, and other promising players like him, have faded away from public memory
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/how-bengals-promising-footballers-faded-away/articleshow/65404738.cms