EAST BENGAL

• Technical director: Subhas Bhowmick
• Key players: Mahmoud Al Amna, Kassim Aidara and Lalrindika Ralte
• 2017 finish: Champions

From 2010 to 2017, the CFL title has been owned by East Bengal. With their season opener slated for Friday, East Bengal, without doubt, would be aiming for their ninth successive triumph. The red and gold brigade would be looking for the likes of new entrants Kassim Aidara and Bali Gagandeep to deliver, while it remains to be seen how Mahmoud Al Amna and comeback man Lalrindika Ralte perform. To speak of Al Amna, he had been the go-to man for the team right through the season. For sure, his performance will again be crucial for the team’s fortunes.  

MOHUN BAGAN

• Coach: Shankarlal Chakraborty
• Key players: Henry Kisseka, Kingsley and Mehtab Hussain
• 2017 finish: Runners-up

Some people, who may still matter in Mohun Bagan, had once said that CFL title did not matter to them and they were more interested in the I-League. But having gone trophy-less in the last two seasons, a CFL title win will be a perfect start to the season. So, to address their issues, Bagan have made some additions to their squad, with Henry Kisseka certainly being an interesting recruit. Kisseka had proved his capabilities last season as a striker, and being paired with Dipanda Dicka upfront gives him the opportunity to establish himself as the next best thing for Bagan.  

MD. SPORTING

• Technical director: Raghu Nandy
• Key players: Bazie Armand, Stephen Harry and Princewill Emeka
• 2017 finish: Third

Over the last few years, Mohammedan Sporting have shown lots of promise in the CFL, making few mistakes against the minnows. But against East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, their tendency to err and falter during crucial stages has gone on to ruin their chances. Mohammedan Sporting seem quite optimistic of the overseas players they have recruited for this season. One of them, Leonce Dodoz, though, is already ruled out. As his replacement, Mohammedan Sporting have brought on the towering Stephen Harry of Nigeria.  

For The Record

♦ East Bengal won the title unbeaten 17 times, Mohun Bagan 12 times and Mohammedan Sporting thrice.

♦ In 1975, 1977 and 2016, East Bengal lifted the title with an all-win record.

♦ In 1972 and 1991, East Bengal became champions without conceding a goal.

♦ In the last six years, East Bengal have lost only three matches — once each in 2012, 2013, 2014.

♦ As the first Indian team, Mohammedan Sporting won the title for five consecutive years from 1934 to 1938.

♦ Mohun Bagan won the title for four consecutive years — from 1962 to 1965.

♦ East Bengal won the CFL six times in a row — 1970 to 1975 and eight times in a row — 2010 to 2017.

♦ Mohun Bagan scored a record 89 goals in the CFL 1966 .

♦ Swami Nayar (EB) scored 36 goals in one single league.

♦ Chima Okorie was the highest scorer record seven times. Four times for Mohun Bagan and three times for East Bengal.

♦ Aryan beat Kalighat 14-0 in 2014 — the biggest margin of victory in CFL history.

♦ League was decided on the basis of goal differences five times — 1910, 1924, 1994, 1995 and 2017.

Hariprasad Chattopadhyay