Mumbai FC have a more favourable run-in than Chirag United

KOCHI: Last chance lane. That is where Kerala’s only I-League club, Chirag United Kerala find themselves. A single wrong turn will land them in the dead-end that is the Second Division while discovering the art of winning will set them on the highway to redemption.
A meager 14 points garnered in 19 games to date is their predicament while the 17 goals scored compared to the 31 conceded is the reason why they are in it.Two coaches have come and gone - PK Kunhikrishnan was sacked before the League started after a group stage exit in the Federation Cup, while Packeer Ali was sacked in February. Now, Biswajit Bhattacharya is the man tasked with pulling them out of trouble.
In mathematical terms they still have a chance. While HAL, Bangalore look destined to be one of the two teams relegated, the fight is on between Chirag and Mumbai FC. Chirag have a game in hand on Mumbai, who have just three points more than them. But when you look at the season ending run-in for both sides, it becomes evidently apparent that Chirag need a miracle to save themselves.
After Saturday’s match against Shillong Lajong FC, Chirag face teams in the top-half of the league in the next four matches. They welcome Pune FC on April 1st before travelling to take on Churchill, East Bengal and Salgaocar. None of these teams will have a lackadaisical attitude against Chirag as all of them are in with an outside chance of claiming the title, particularly if leaders Dempo slip up.
The date for the game in hand against Pailan Arrows in Kochi, which they should win, has not yet been announced. Chirag then host Mumbai FC on the last day of the season but by then, it could well not be the relegation knock-out match that it is being touted as.
Mumbai’s opponents, before the May 6 encounter, are Prayag United, East Bengal, Lajong, Arrows and HAL. While the three away games might be tough to get points off, the home game against Arrows and the HAL tie will be penciled in as must-win matches by their coach Khalid Jamil.
While the future does look bleak, Chirag can only focus on the games they have to play. The task ahead is clear - ensure they are within striking distance of Mumbai FC on the final day.