FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Churchill Brothers FC are still on zero points in the I-League. The lone Goan team in the competition will take on Mumbai Kenkre FC at the fabled Cooperage in Mumbai on Thursday in an effort to open their account.
Two defeats have pegged the Goans back. They lost to Rajasthan United FC 1-2 and Sreenidi Deccan 2-3 at home.
The team promised much but failed to deliver in either encounter.
At a media conference on Wednesday, Churchill’s Spanish head coach Antonio Rueda preferred to focus on the Kenkre challenge.
“We didn’t win the last two matches even though we played well but we must forget about them and concentrate on Kenkre which is a good team.
“This is a quality league, in my opinion, and any if you don’t play well you can lose to anyone. We had a tough time against Kenkre in our last match in the Baji Rout Cup semifinals (a little before the start of the league). We may have won 5-1 but we scored three in the last 10 minutes when they were attacking, attempting to score.”
Rueda also reminded one and all that in the last edition of the I-League, Churchill Brothers won 2-1 with late goals after falling behind.
Churchill are 11th out of 12 and have to get their act together to notch points before it’s too late. Kenkre are on three points with a win and defeat and occupy sixth place in the table.
Real Kashmir, Gokulam Kerala and RoundGlass Punjab lead in that order – all on seven points from three matches.
Churchill Brothers are coping with injuries. They have lost striker Manuel Cordero to a hamstring injury sustained in the match against Rajasthan United and must take a few other niggles in the camp.
Young midfielder Wendell Coelho joined Rueda in the presser. The 22-year-old has been in the framework for almost three years now . He reflected on his experience at the club. “Churchill Brothers have supported young players,” he said. “I am with them for three years and I am happy to have got this opportunity to play in the I-League.
“At the moment, the results are not working for us but we will fight back and come back stronger,” he said.
