Churchill confident against Viva

MARGAO, DEC 22
Churchill Brothers Sports Club seem to be confident of earning full three points from their fifth match in 4th I-League against Viva Kerala at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Thursday at 3.45 p.m.
A win on Thursday will ensure Churchill Brothers a better placing. They have eight points from four matches while Viva Kerala are yet to taste success and have three points from the same number of encounters.
Last year runners-up Churchill Brothers, buoyed by their fluent 5-1 win against Mumbai Football Club last week are determined to put it across the Kerala team, which have dropped points to Pune Football Club.
New Zealand striker Kayne Vincent will likely partner scoring machine Odafe Okolie upfront. The New Zealander, who donned colours for Mumbai Football Club in last year’s I-League is being drafted on a loan to add more teeth upfront.
Churchill Brothers coach Vincent Subramanian may be happy with the clean slate in his last match. “As long as we continue in the same vein, we would win matches. We just need a professional attitude to finish off our rivals,” said Vincent.
Churchill’s star forward Odafe continues to be a menace in the opponent’s box and Thursday will be no different as he continues to lead the leading scorers list. The defence and midfield is playing tight and Odafe and his new co-partner Vincent Kayne are also turning on the heat.
Viva Kerala coach P K Kunhikrishan too is facing somewhat a similar situation. He was satisfied wit their previous performance. “We do not have the experience. It has shown in four matches that we have played so far. We also have junior players in our team and if we had played the Kerala League, we could have perhaps got better results,” said Kunhikrishan.
Viva have problems of their own, but are still hoping to give the home side a fright. “Churchill Brothers are a better prepared team and they are playing at home and to be fair they are superior opponents. But we can match them,” added the former Kerala Police coach.
Viva Kerala will rely on former Churchill Brothers Nigerian striker Felix Chimaoku, Bello Rasq and Charles D to deliver the goods. Churchill Brothers are clear favourities for their third win but a second loss would be too devastating for the team from Kerala.