TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Churchill Bros Sports Club will need something special when they take on Shillong Lajong Football Club in round 14 of Airtel I-League football at Duler stadium, here, on Tuesday.
After losing 3-1 to league leaders Bengaluru FC in their previous match at Duler, Churchill Bros coach, Mariano Dias made it loud and clear in the post-match conference that his team’s main goal is to survive relegation. Mariano blamed his defence for the defeat for lack of concentration in the second session even after holding Bengaluru FC goalless at the breather.
The Red Machines are currently facing testing times which no one fathomed six months ago when they lifted the I-League trophy. The defending champions are currently at the bottom of the table with seven points and only a series of victories can bring back some confidence in the side.
Their foreign recruits in Abdul Shabana, Yasser Shahen and Naser Al Sebai may have galvanized their team to an extent but a lot of the flaws still remain.
Dias is likely to give a start to Balwant Singh, who scored two goals in as many games.
On the other hand, Shillong Lajong are currently enjoying their best start of the season which see them occupying the sixth position with 14 points and have a decent performance record against Goan opposition, winning two and losing one.
The Reds first thumped Dempo SC 3-0 in their opening match and then went down to Sporting Clube de Goa 1-0.
However, Thangboi Singto’s side recently edged past Salgaocar FC 2-1 in Shillong in their previous match. Fatigue could be an issue as they travel all the way from Shillong to Goa.
Also, Singto faces a quandary over the fitness of his trio of foreigners Cornell Glen, Minchol Son and Bomfin Uilliams, with only one of the three possibly making the cut. They will certainly look to pick up three points from Goa and register their second away victory.
The kick-off is at 3.30 p.m.
