TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: After an impressive 2-0 victory over Salgaocar FC in the previous round, Sporting Clube de Goa will look to wipe out bitter memories when they confront league leaders Churchill Bros in Round 19 I-League match at Duler Stadium, here, Friday, at 3.45 p.m.
Churchill Bros thrashed Sporting Clube 8-4 in the first-leg clash to register their biggest win in the competition. It was also Sporting’s biggest loss since their entry in the I-League almost a decade ago.
However, The Flaming Oranje are a much improved side since Spaniard Oscar Bruzon took over and he is determined to make good the lost ground.
“That match seemed like it was played a long time ago. We are a different team now and are ready to tackle Churchill,” said Bruzon.
Spoting have strengthened their ranks with the addition of Spanish Angel Berlanga who scored on his debut against Salgaocar.
“The last game was perfect for us. The players executed the plans well and every player did what was asked of them. All the work we did in the past five weeks was rewarded,” said the coach.
The Panjim outfit will have Joval Martins and Rovan Pereira back from suspension and striker Juanfri, the latest Spanish signing, is expected to make his debut. Striker Dawson Fernandes and winger Joe Pereira are still doubtful, but they can rely on Nigerian midfielder Ogba Kalu who has played an instrumental role as their top goal scorer so far.
Sporting Clube are placed ninth with 17 points from 17 matches, while Churchill Bros are at the other end, right on top with 38 points from 16 matches. They are two points ahead of second-placed East Bengal but crucially have two matches in hand.
“It’s important to win the next two matches, collect six points and stay relaxed during the break. These two matches are really crucial,” said Churchill Bros technical director Subhash Bhowmick.
Churchill’s glorious run of seven victories on-the-trot was halted by Mumbai FC in the last drawn game in Pune. The Goan side is now hoping to start another fine victory run that can get them closer to the coveted I-League title.
Bineesh Balan, Denzil Franco and Tomba Singh have recovered from their injuries while midfielder Bikramjit Singh will be back from his suspension.
Churchill will however, miss Lebanese defender Bilal Najjarine who has since moved to United Arab Emirates (UAE). Brazilian midfielder Roberto Mendes da Silva who injured his finger in the last match is a doubtful starter although the Brazilian seems determined to play a part despite the pain.
