2005–06 National Football League (India)

The 2005–06 National Football League, also known as the ONGC National Football League for sponsorship reasons,[1] was the tenth season of the National Football League, the top Indian professional league for association football clubs, since its inception in 1996. It started on 10 January 2006 and concluded on 21 May.[9]

National Football League
Season2005–06
Dates10 January – 21 May 2006
ChampionsMahindra United
1st NFL title
1st Indian title
Relegated
AFC Cup
Matches played81[1]
Top goalscorerRanti Martins (13 goals)
Biggest home win
Biggest away winMohammedan Sporting 0–5 Mahindra United
(5 May 2006)[7]
Highest scoringEast Bengal 5–3 Dempo
(26 March 2006)[8]

East Bengal's Bhaichung Bhutia was named the best player of the league.[1]

Overview edit

It was contested by 10 teams, and Mahindra United won the championship under the coach Derrick Pereira and this was their first title. East Bengal came second while Mohun Bagan came as third. Fransa Pax and Salgaocar were relegated from the National Football League 2006-07.

League standings edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Mahindra United 17 11 3 3 27 13 +14 36 Champions
2 East Bengal 17 9 4 4 25 16 +9 31
3 Mohun Bagan 17 8 6 3 17 10 +7 30
4 Sporting Goa 17 6 7 4 24 16 +8 25
5 Dempo 17 6 7 4 29 22 +7 25
6 JCT Mills 17 5 5 7 14 14 0 20
7 Air India 17 5 4 8 16 22 −6 19
8 Mohammedan Sporting 17 5 2 10 11 25 −14 17
9 Salgaocar 17 2 6 9 15 29 −14 12 Relegated
10 Fransa Pax 9 0 4 5 2 13 −11 4


Season statistics edit

Top scorers edit

Rank Player Club Goals[10]
1   Ranti Martins Dempo 13
2   Bhaichung Bhutia East Bengal 12
3   Dudu Omagbemi Sporting Goa 9
4   Yusif Yakubu Mahindra United 8
5   Chidi Edeh Sporting Goa 7
6   José Ramirez Barreto Mahindra United 6
7   Bashiree Mohammed Air India 4
  Roberto Mendes Silva Dempo
  Parveen Kumar JCT
  Shanmugam Venkatesh Mahindra United

Hat-tricks edit

Player For Against Result Date Ref.
Ranti Martins Dempo Mahindra United 3–4 (H) 17 January 2006 [11]
Bhaichung Bhutia East Bengal Sporting Clube 4–3 (H) 18 March 2006 [12]
Dudu Omagbemi Sporting Clube Mohammedan Sporting 4–1 (H) 8 April 2006 [5]
Note: (H) – Home; (A) – Away

Season awards edit

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the season. Mohun Bagan's Bhaichung Bhutia was voted the best player of the season by the coaches and captains of all participating teams of the season. JCT Mills received the fairplay award for receiving the lowest number of cards (8).[1]

Award Recipient[1] Club
Best Player Bhaichung Bhutia Mohun Bagan
Best Midfielder Shanmugam Venkatesh Mahindra United
Best Goalkeeper Sandip Nandy Mahindra United
Best Defender Mahesh Gawli Mahindra United
Fair Play JCT Mills

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Bhutia declared player of NFL". Rediff.com. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Dudu brace sinks Fransa". Rediff.com. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Bagan too good for Salgaocar". Rediff.com. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Dempo resume NFL campaign in style". Rediff.com. 31 March 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Omaghbemi 'tricks' for Sporting Clube". Rediff.com. 9 April 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Dempo ground Air India". Rediff.com. 9 April 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Mahindra crush Mohd Sporting". Rediff.com. 5 May 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  8. ^ "East Bengal beat Dempo 5-3". Rediff.com. 26 March 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Dempo hold Mahindra United". Rediff.com. 21 May 2006. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  10. ^ "10th National Football League 2006". Rediff.com. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Mahindra edge past Dempo 4-3". Rediff.com. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Bhutia stars for East Bengal". The Hindu. 19 March 2006. Retrieved 20 October 2018.

External links edit