Churchill Bros aim to top group
BY JOVITO LOPES
KUWAIT, APRIL 27
Churchill Brothers coach Carlos Parreira hoped that his team could give a repeat of their earlier sterling 2-2 home performance in Goa when they take on Kuwait Sporting Club in the last Group B AFC match, at Kuwait Sporting Club stadium, here on Wednesday.
“A draw will do for us to top the Group so that we can play our next pre-quarter-final match in Goa on May 12,” remarked Carlos, who tried to make light of the absence of ace striker captain Odafe, who stands suspended following two yellow cards. Gourmangi Singh, will lead the team tomorrow.
“We gave a superb performance when we played Kuwait in Goa. It was one of the best ever matches that Churchill Bros have played. Everyone talked about that match and we hope that we will be able to come up with another grand show,” remarked Carlos at a press briefing on Tuesday.
“I am confident that it will be a good match tomorrow. It will not be easy for both teams, which have already qualified for the next stage. Playing in both AFC as well as the I-League is quite taxing for the players. Never the less, we will do our best to raise the tempo and come out trumps,” remarked Carlos who pointed out that the team had no injury problems.
Kuwait have three key players who will be sidelined due to injuries, disclosed their newly appointed coach Mohammad Abdullah, who was put in charge of the team just today after Brazilian coach Arthur resigned yesterday citing personal, family reasons, although it comes at a time when the team lost a Kuwait League match some days back.
Abdullah, who was earlier the Technical Director and assistant coach, said he was very familiar with the players and that despite the absence of the key players, his team was expected to score a victory and top the pool, so that they will play their next qualification match in Kuwait itself.
“I know that Churchill Bros are a very strong team. Hence, we are geared to take on the challenge and with home advantage on our side, we expect to earn full points so that our tally rises to eight, while Churchill’s will remain at seven.
Should Churchill just manage to draw, Churchill will go on top with eight points while Kuwait will be on six. A win for Churchill will take their points tally to ten while Kuwait will remain on five.
Churchill Bros patron, Churchill Alemao, PWD Minister, despite indifferent health, had a heart-to-heart talk with the players, motivating them to work for a victory.
“We are representing India as the National champs and we must keep our nation’s as well as the club’s and Goa’s flag flying high. That apart, you gave a brilliant display when we played our match in Goa against Kuwait. Then, we went on to beat Al Hilal and finally, when it matters the most, we must come out triumphant tomorrow,” exhorted Churchill.
“The strikers must deliver. Goals is what matters in the ultimate analysis,” he told Ogba Kalu and Felix, who will have to shoulder the responsibility of scoring goals. “No matter what, give your best, convert even half chances, work hard and victory will be ours,” advised Churchill, who was upbeat with the response from the Goan community in Kuwait, which is expected to turn up in large numbers for the match. “I have been receiving several delegations from Goans in Kuwait, pledging their wholehearted support. They will come to root for us and we only hope that our players will not disappoint,” remarked Churchill, who also disclosed that several diehard supporters of his team had specially flown from Goa to cheer the team.
Meanwhile, Dr K C Abraham, owner of Musli Power arrived this morning from Kochi to witness the match and also to boost the sales. “We have several distributors in Kuwait and I thought it right to make use of the occasion,” he pointed out.
Churchill Bros: Arindan, Rowilson, Naoba, Robert, Gourmangi, Kalu, Murali, Nascimento, Lalrinda, Jaison, Felix.
