MARGAO, MARCH 8
With seven points separating table toppers Salgaocar Sports Club, Churchill Brothers will look to bring their campaign back on track when they face Mumbai Football Club in a crucial I-League match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Currently third on the league table with 33 points from 17 matches, Churchill Brothers hold psychological advantage over the Mumbai side having beaten them in the first-eg.
Churchill’s acting coach Alfred Fernandes who is looking after the team after the sudden resignation of coach Vincent Subramanian is aware of Mumbai’s capabilities and put his players through a strenuous training session at Cuncolim ground on Tuesday. He made them try out different attacking strategies, worked on their shooting from dead ball situations and various set pieces.
At the end of the practice session, Fernandes seemed quite satisfied. “We will win this match as it’s a home match and an absolute must-win situation. There is no doubt in my boys’ mind that we will come away from the match tomorrow with full three points. The three points are very crucial as it will take our tally to 36 and take us to the second spot from our current position. Unfortunately, we will be missing wing back Robert Lathlamuana due to a double booking,” stated Fernandes who is not taking Mumbai lightly. “We have to stay focused,” he concluded.
Churchill will start with Nigerian Odafe Okolie and New Zealander Kayne Vincent will spearhead the attack. Zakeer Mundampara will marshal the midfield alongwith Steven Dias, Mohammed Rafi and Brazilians Amaury Nunes Netto. International Gourmangi Singh will have a big role to play at the back. Lalit Thapa or Arindam Bhattacharya will stand under the bar.
Mumbai have been the surprise package this season, sitting pretty on fifth place with 27 points from 16 matches. The team owned by Zee has put emphasis on playing youngsters and their manager Henry Picardo was happy that the strategy was paying dividends.
“We have a pretty young team and I must say we are surprised to find ourselves at the top half of the table. It has been really good for us so far and we hope to carry that forward to the Churchill Brothers’ game,” the former Air India player stated.
Mumbai do not face any injury or suspension hassles and are in a position to find the best possible line-up tomorrow. They are expected to go with a 5-3-2 or a 4-4-2 formation.
India striker, Abhishek Yadav and Nigerian Ebi Sukore will lead the front line. “What we have been doing well is getting results by not just playing to our strengths but also reading the oppositions well and nullifying their threats,” Picardo said.
Mumbai is being coached by former India midfielder, Khalid Jamil and their morale is high after scalping East Bengal.
