raised eyebrows by suprise leaders

Nobody is admitting as much now, but more than a few eyebrows are raised over the standings at the end of the third round in the I-League.Suprisingly enough,there is an unusual pattern to the initial rounds with lesser-known teams perched at the top while the bigwigs cut a sorry figure. At the end of the third round, Goan side,Sporting Clube de Goa have emerged the unlikely leaders in the pack, winning all three of their matches but against opposition who are struggling to find their feet in the league though.. In a league as complicated, and difficult, as this one,the better-placed teams have always had starting problems. But, once they get into the groove and the depth of other squads are tested, nothing can stop them. Take last year for example. Viva Kerala started in blazing style, the newly-promoted south Indian side, the only representative from that part of the country, picked up seven points in their first three matches but in the end could not even save relegation. Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting, the top two teams in Kolkata judging by Kolkata Football League standings - are a far cry from their pre-season form with several players either looking jaded or recovering from niggling injuries. Bengal tooare on the same boat with national stars Sunil Chhetri and Surkumar Singh not available while Mahindra United coach Derrick Pereira is at his wits end trying to motivate a worn out side that takes pride in its seven National players.Mumbai FC and Air India, placed second and fourth respectively, are fresher for the I-League challenge while Goan teams, except perhaps for Vasco Sports Club, are better prepared having played a succession of friendlies in pre-season from teams across the border.