Joshimar (centre) celebrates one of his goals with teammates at the Barasat Stadium on Friday. A Telegraph picture

Calcutta: It’s a sort of silent revolution that has been going on in this season’s I-League. Chirag United, a team put together mostly with the big clubs’ discards and without the brouhaha usually associated with the so-called more fancied names, are currently leading the standings, thanks to their 2-0 victory over Salgaocar SC at the Barasat Stadium Friday. Joshimar struck both the goals.

Chirag now have 15 points from seven outings, three more than Dempo SC who have played a match less.

A disciplined approach, decent fitness and impeccable calculations — on the part of coach Subrata Bhattacharya — have seen the team in purple soar to heights that they can be proud of.

Still unbeaten in the league, Chirag, actually, didn’t have a composed start Friday as they looked a little rusty and out of sorts. Salgaocar seized the opportunity moving into the rival box quite often. Chirag goalkeeper Somnath Khara put up quite a few good saves as the likes of Beevan D’Mello and Luciano Sabrosa took attempts at the rival goal. But lack of finishing undid all of their efforts. All through the first half, the Chirag midfield failed to play as a cohesive unit and, as a result, Edmilson and Joshimar faced a drought of good passes.

However, the breather worked wonders for Subrata’s boys as Jayanta Sen and Denson Devadas, at the heart of the field, woke up from their slumber. One such enterprising effort in the 52nd minute released Edmilson through the left. The Brazilian was quick to lay it off for countrymate Joshimar who tapped it in to give the hosts the lead.

As the visitors gradually faded away from the contest, Chirag shone brighter and, in the 68th minute, Joshimar was once again on target. Gaining possession from a defensive lapse, the tall striker shielded off three rival defenders before putting it past an advancing Kalyan Chowbey.

Edmilson, though, was guilty of being booked, his second in a row, for time-wasting and this might cost Chirag dear as they take on the power of defending champions Churchill Brothers in the next match.

Well, Chirag certainly don’t have the might off the field to fill in the stands with thousands of supporters; but on it, they possess the courage and determination to fight. City giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have already bitten the dust at their hands and one just hope it’s just the beginning. As they say, ‘revolutions never go backwards’!

TEAMS

Chirag United: Somnath Khara, Rahul Kumar (Subhasish Roychowdhury, 46 th), Eduardo Chacon, Safar Sardar, Narugopal Hait, S Malswamtluanga, Jayanta Sen, Denson Devadas, Guoranga Biswas, Joshimar, Edmilson Marques (Hardeep Singh, 88 th)

Salgaocar SC: Kalyan Chowbey, Baldeep Singh (Manjit Singh, 63 rd), Luciano Sabrosa, Rouhollah Samieinia, Gurpreet Singh, Anthony Sabrosa, Cajetan Fernandes (Lester Fernandes, 78 th), Rocus Lamare, Beevan D’Mello (Avneet Singh Shergill, 46 th), Ekene Ikenwa

Referee: Magho Singh

MoM: Jayanta Sen