2019 GUNJUR NAWETTAN: CAN GUNJUR TEAMS STOP THE TROPHY FROM GOING OUT AGAIN!

With four outside participation (highest in the history of Gunjur nawettan in a year) in this 2019 edition. Can teams in Gunjur nawettan (summer football championship) stop the trophies from crossing to the close by villages? That remains to be seen.

The_Pub FC

Three of the four outside teams (The-Pub FC, Ecomog and Martin Academy) are from Siffoe Village, while the only representative from Kartong is the White Croc Academy. Martin Academy will make a second appearance, while White Croc will participate for the first time. The-Pub and Ecomog are going into their third season. How many trophies have gone outside Gunjur?

All together eight trophies (including league, knockout and super cup) have been shared among teams in four surrounding villages, with Siffoe winning four, Kartong, Jambanjelly each once and Nyofelleh twice.

Jambanjelly as a community participated and won a title in Gunjur in 1994 / 95 season, while Farm Engineering a team from Kartong as well enjoyed some fortune in 2015 when they grabbed a knock-out cup title. Dunnes from Nyofelleh won a league and super cup in 2016.

The large chunk of the fortune has gone to The-Pub FC from Siffoe. A team that set standard and make history! A knock-out cup in their debut season (2017/ 18), was followed by a (league & Knock-out cup) in their second season, making them the first team in history outside Gunjur to win a double.

The-Pub lifting the 2018 league title

The-Pub started the new season in Gunjur with the season opener title (super cup) with a deserve 2 – 1 win over Solifo Investment to send warning signals across. With the form The-Pub are in, it will be virtually impossible to stop them from winning another cup.

Lets now look at the groupings, the teams and their chances. Senior players are been added to the “nawettan” proper making it all together 16 which includes some former winners. But who are the bookies favorite among the sixteen teams!

Group A.

The only group that doesn’t consist of any former title winners. Can we say is an easy group, probably yes! With the best ever finish of the two strong teams among the group being the league runners up, and Senior players regrouping for the first time in many year and Black panthers making a debut, it cannot be argued that the group is any tough.

Ecomog: league cup runners up in 2018/19 season. Ecomog are undoubtedly the group favorites. They will be motivated by their last season’s performance and the fact that the team (The-Pub) they came together with have secured four title already, Ecomog will be hoping to clinch first title this season and they have what it takes to become a champion. With a large and strong team, the Siffoe based team are no doubt among the realistic title contenders.

Ecomog FC

Asselem: Another league runners up in 2016. Since then the performance of Asselem has been below par, they didn’t came any near to achieving the feat let alone winning any title. Their inconsistency doesn’t seem to change, which means they will try their luck, but any place beyond the quarter finals will surely come as a big surprise.

Smarteq: Former Halifax FC, has been architect of failure since joining the nawettan. Their continuous struggle never yields any fruit. However, after teams like Ajax fall-short in the qualifiers, it means Smarteq can reinforce their team with lot of hottest young prospect, but can that change anything as they lacked experience. Even though they have impressed in their opening group game with a 2 -1 win over the group favorite Ecomog, but that does not in anyway make them title contenders. They might do well but any place beyond quarter finals will caught even the most ardent supporter by surprise.

Smarteq FC

Black Panthers: Thanks to a combination of luck and little dedication they are in the nawettan proper. Having came through the qualifiers as debutants, Panthers were knocked out in the second round of the qualifiers, but luckily enough, finish as one of the best loser team and went on to narrowly edged out Green Vision on penalties in the last stage. Even where as they started the campaign with a one all stalemate against Asselem, Black Panthers does not have the strength to match the title contenders. Their lack of cohesion, pedigree and quality will be responsible for their early exit.

Senior Players: This team consist of ex-town team players of Gunjur, which shows how good each of their players will be. They might have all the experience and talent, but their lack of strength will cause them to exit early.

Group B.

The only group that has three former title winners which includes the reigning league, knock-out and super cup champions The-Pub FC. It has been considered as the toughest group.

With all due respect to the rest of the teams in this group, The-Pub are not just the favorite to finish first, but equally realistic title contenders. Since joining Gunjur nawettan two years ago, the Siffoe based team has shown quality, talent, patience and composure which saw them won a remarkable four title in two season. The depth and strength of The-Pub players, and their commitment to their style of football, will mean they will prove a hard nut to crack again! They have proven that with a 1 – 0 win over Santos in their first group game on Wednesday. Can any team stop them from defending their title? That remains to be seen.

The-Pub with the 2017 knock-out cup

Santos: A team that plays with dash and precision. Santos have a pool of energetic youth and experience players. But since their league triumph in 2015, success has been elusive for a team that has perhaps the largest fan based in Gunjur. Are the players willing to bring back the glory days? One thing for certain, they have the players to do well, but what is not certain is, if they can lay a hand on the coveted trophy.

Smiling Coast: Since their mastermind Malang Jassey (in whose time they won a knock-out title and reach several semifinals), stops playing “Nawettan”, Smiling Coast has never been smiling. They always fluctuate between the nawettan proper and relegations. Having watched them during the qualifying rounds, Smiling Coast does not have what it takes to win the title. Any place beyond the group stage will shock the bookies.

Smiling Coast FC

Martin Academy

Martin Academy: Amid the fact that they narrowly avoided relegations last season. The academy boys will hope that they can do well this season, but realistically they just don’t have what it take to become legitimate title contenders. Their lack of experience will give their opponent an edge. They can still try their luck, but progressing beyond the group stages is highly unlikely.

To be contd.