PANJIM: Churchill Brothers are desperate to notch their first win of the I-League season. And what better than to do it at home – and at a new venue for that matter.
Action moves to the Tilak Maidan, Vasco, where the Goan side square up to Aizawl of Mizoram on Friday. The GMC Athletic stadium in Bamboli was the scene of Churchill’s earlier matches where the team floundered, losing to Rajasthan United FC and Sreenidi Deccan.
Churchill have just a point from four matches and are 11th in the 12-team league. Their last match against Real Kashmir in Srinagar on Monday ended in a 0-1 defeat. The result, marred by controversy in the wake of the hosts allegedly fielding an extra foreign player, drew an official protest from Churchill.
At a media conference at the venue on Thursday, Coach Antonio Rueda, however, feels his team’s task is cut out. “A victory is what we want. Nothing less. We need those three points,” the Spaniard said without mincing words.
Churchill Brothers are coping with injuries to three foreign players and Rueda knows it’s a tough spot to be in.
Spanish forward Manuel Cordero, Iranian winger Milad Pakparvar and Senegalese centre-forward Abdoulaye Sane are all hors de combat.
“The situation is difficult for us. With three foreigners injured, we have had to change our positional play. We had those players for the friendlies and for the Baji Rout Cup but now we don’t.
Aizawl assistant coach Victor Lalbiakmawia has problems of his own. “Despite playing well for 90 minutes, we have lost matches because of a lack of concentration. We have played four matches and have been improving and we hope to get a positive result tomorrow,” he said.
“Churchill Brothers is an old, tradition team. They will fight and not give up. They had a hard match in freezing temperatures against Real Kashmir and I am sure they will take positives from it,” he added.
The Aizawl assistant coach feels the composition of the first XI is crucial. “How we start the match and the mindset of the players and how they could be motivated is very important,” he said.
Aizawl, at ninth spot with four points from four matches, have an edge on Churchill for starters in that they are devoid of injury problems and defender Eisuke Mohri, is upbeat.
“Churchill Brothers are a good team but we have been training well,” he said.
He reflected on being comfortable with the team and that the Indian teammates have helped him adjust.
“It’s going to be a touch match but we are hopeful of getting three points.”
