The beginning was so auspicious. However, the same National League is staring at death on only its third year. Imagine how incompetent the AIFF mandarins are. According to the regulations framed it was known that from the second year onwards two sides finishing at the bottom of the table would be relegated to second division. In the 1997-98 season, Churchil Brothers and Mahindra and Mahindra finished at the bottom. So, they should have been languishing in the second division this year. Instead, the AIFF made a mockery of the regulation before launching this year's edition. To pacify a raging Alemao Churchil, the powerful president of Churchil Brothers, AIFF stunningly allowed last year's relegated teams to stay in the premier division. That made it a twelve side affair. If you are already perplexed by the AIFF'S bizarre whims then please hold on. There's more for you. Those twelve teams were spilt into two groups. Each team in those two groups played ten games on a home and away basis among themselves. At the end of the preliminary round (Each team playing ten matches) the first three teams from each group qualified for another round coined as 'The Super Six'. These six teams in 'The Super Six' again were locked in a two rounds battle. One in Goa and the other in Calcutta. How does it sound? Quite atrocious, Isn't it? How can the parent body of a country fiddle with as important a thing as the National League? And that too in its nascent stage. Incredibly, this can happen only in Indian soccer.

So here we are, having the third edition of the National League in a completely new format. In the preliminary group league, East Bengal, the Calcutta giant, had a dream run. They topped their group in style, trampling oppositions at ease. Their overwhelming dominance made one feel that they were the favourite to romp home with the championship. But the fallacy lay there. East Bengal were clubbed in the weaker group. Oppositions as weak as ITI gave their showing an exaggerated look. Also, they peaked too early. Having said that, one must give credit to Manoranjan Bhattacharya's boys for being the sole torch bearer from Calcutta when the hunt began among' The Super Six'. In Goa, in round one, Churchil Brothers and Salgaokar secured the first two places in the league table, taking advantage of their familiar conditions. Round two in Calcutta saw East Bengal surging ahead of Churchil Brothers with vengeance. The red and gold and Salgaokar were going neck and neck, with Salgaokar having a slender two-point lead. Now, it was time for East Bengal to go for the kill. But much to the chagrin of their supporters they played a goalless tie against a depleted Kochin FC at a crucial stage. With that vanished their chance of lifting the championship. It may sound harsh, but the fact was, that East Bengal didn't deserve to be the champion. At a time, when they almost caught up with Salgaokar, Baichung Bhutia, their ace striker was released for a trial in an English club. Can you believe it? Didn't that expose the commitment of Baichung as well as the club officials?

Last year's champion, Mohan Bagan had a most dismal run this year. Under the new coach P.K. Banerjee they struggled right from the preliminary round. In fact, so insipid were their showing that there was a question mark onetime on their qualifying for 'The Super Six'. In the end Mohan Bagan did qualify. However, their brand of soccer never roused any hope among even the most die hard of supporters. Rather, their supporters turned hostile towards their team, especially to P.K. Banerjee and Chima O'Kerie. Both in Goa and in Calcutta Mohan Bagan's much vaunted line up flopped miserably. Chima O'Kerie, the aging Nigerian star was rendered hors de combat. His absence was sorely missed. I.M. Vijayan was a shadow of his was a shadow of his best. Sammy Omollo didn't live up to the expectations. Mohan Bagan's misery could best be exemplified by a hugely built Nigerian named Badabo. Ridiculing him, the crowd in the stand said, "When ordinary guys like Badabo can don Bagan colous, the club deserve more than the fourth spot". Amid their gloom, P.K. Banerjee, the once charismatic coach of Calcutta Maidan bade adieu to club coaching - not for the first time though.

Gone are the days of Mohamedan Sporting, the third giant from Calcutta. It's now time for Tollygunge Agramies. Being the third outfit from Calcutta, Tollygunge did a commendable job in their first year. Some credit must go to Amal Dutta, the Mr. Enigmatic of Indian soccer coaching. With all his experience he motivated the bunch of ordinaries into a group of spirited battlers. Lack of individual brilliance was made up with belligerence, grit and determination. Onetime, Tollygunge Agragami were leading the group in the preliminary phase. Unfortunately, owing to lack of consistency, they fell behind during the latter part and failed to finish among the first three. Nevertheless, theirs were the only silver lining so far as Bengal soccer was concerned.

So, Salgaokar, the club of curly haired Bruno Coutinho, took this year's championship to the picturesque beaches of Goa as the powerful Calcutta giants kept searching for the ifs and buts. They got to be reminded that it's about time they start doing some sole searching. Because like the AIFF, who are bent on [performing the final rites of Indian soccer, these clubs are taking Bengal soccer to nowhere. They got to remember that it's quality football and quality footballers which India and Bengal are looking for, not tournaments and trophies.

THAT IS HOW THE TEAMS FINISHED IN THE SUPER SIX

TOP SCORES : Philips Mensa (11 Goals), Churchil Brothers,  Raman Vijayan (10 Goals), East Bengal