Churchill – Al Hilal fireworks on Tuesday

Churchill – Al Hilal fireworks on Tuesday
HERALD SPORTS REPORTER
PANJIM, APRIL 1
After Musli Power Churchill Brothers have emerged surprise leaders of Group B in AFC Cup championship beating Al Hilal of Yemen in Sana’a, their patron, Churchill Alemao and president, Joaquim Alemao are confident that the team will come up trumps yet once again when they meet on April 6 at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao at 4 p.m.
Churchill beat Hilal 2-1 in their away match to collect four points after two matches in the three-team group. Kuwait are second on two points with the Yemenis a point behind.
“We stunned Al Hilal with goals from Okolie Inyeka Odafa and Felix either side of the interval and that was enough to earn three points and go on top,” stated Churchill.
“The game was hard for us as the weather in Sana’a was not good for us with the low oxygen in addition to our long trip from India to Yemen. Everything was against us,” added Churchill. “However, we played with good balance and had two chances which we took well and achieved the win,” he added.
“Al Hilal played well at home and in front of their fans but they didn’t take advantage of the chances that they had. I’m satisfied with the performance and the result as it was good win for us.”
“The match on Tuesday is crucial for us. It is important to win it so that we can seal our place in the next stage,” remarked Churchill who pointed out that the Yemeni team would want to seek revenge and that the qualification for the next 16 group was still open.
“Yemen had chances. They missed a penalty. Of course it was a grand save by goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja, who came to the rescue as he saved Burhanu Kasim’s spot kick. As such, they will work hard to make up for their lapses and the defeat. So, we will have to work that bit extra,” remarked Churchill.
“The April 6 encounter at Nehru Stadium could play a large part in deciding the Yemen side’s fate. The game will be very important and it is decisive for both, although a defeat for Al Hilal could men the end of the road for them,” Churchill said.
“The performance of the players during both AFC matches played so far has been superb and if we maintain the same tempo, nothing should stop Churchill Bros from winning. Moreover, we expect a much bigger crowd than what was there when we played against Kuwait. I am sure that the fans will once again demonstrate their solidarity with the Goan and Indian national champions and turn in very large numbers. Crowd support is very important and I am requesting everyone to turn up and support the team like they did when we played against Kuwait,” Churchill pleaded.
Joaquim, meanwhile, reviewed the arrangements for the Tuesday’s match. Since there is already demand for the tickets, Joaquim said that these would go on sale from Saturday at GFA office in Margao as well as in Panjim and Vasco, since the fans from these two cities have been demanding the same. Plans are also afoot to have tickets at Mapusa, he added.
The Yemen team is expected to arrive on Sunday while the Match Commissioner will arrive on Saturday to check the arrangements and have meetings with SDPO Umesh Gaocar (overall security), Dy SP Prabhudesai (traffic) and PI Santosh Desai (internal security), Dinesh Desai (stadium manager), Jaju Fernandes (stadium security), Anthony Pango (ground manager), John Dias (medical), Macario Rodrigues (transport), Peter Figueiredo (hospitality), Fr Eremita Coutinho (press), Milagres Teresa (ADC to Match Commissioner), Franky (manager, referees), Alfred Fernandes (local manager for Al Hilal), Angelo Almeida and Lovino Goes (VVIP/VIP stand managers).
Meanwhile, the AFC Cup seems set to post a new record in average attendances this year.
The competition has only completed three match days but the numbers are encouraging and have already surpassed the figures achieved in the last five years.
In the 44 matches played so far, more than 2,70,066 people have passed through the turnstiles to clock an average of 6,137 fans per match.
This number is just 304 spectators behind the 2004 average of 6,441 after 62 matches.Last year there were a total of 117 games watched by an average of 4,757 fans.
A record 20,000 people turned up to watch Sriwijaya’s 1-0 victory Vietnamese outfit Binh Duong on March 24 in Palembang, Indonesia, while 16,000 left disappointed after Uzbekistan’s Nasaf lost 2-1 to Kuwait’s Kazma a day earlier.