Churchill Bros v. United SC
Live on Ten Action at 4 p.m.
TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: I-League champions Churchill Bros Sports Club will look to resurrect as they take on Kolkata’s United Sports Club in the opener the Group A opener of 35th Federation Cup at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cochin, Kerala.
After the release of Syrian duo Yasser Shahin and Naser al Sebai, The Red Machines will be only with Egyptian midfielder Abdel Hamid Shabana and Trinidadian striker Anthony Wolfe, who is set to make his debut in Indian football. Whereas, newly signed Costa Rican striker Cristian Lagos Navarro is not part of the squad as he will only arrive on Wednesday.
Churchill Bros have are facing turbulent times at the bottom of the I-League, but a 3-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting Club on December 15,2013, which was their last match are clear signs that the sleeping giants will wake up in the New Year.
The Varca-based side have never won the Federation Cup nor have finished as runners-up since their inception in 1988 but head coach, Mariano Dias is looking to change fortunes this time with the technical expertise of Subhash Bhomwick. “Our first match is important and we are all ready to go tomorrow against United SC. We have to the Federation Cup because the club has not won it before and it is my intention to deliver this time.” said Mariano from Kerala.
Defensively, Churchill Bros have not been poor but their main concern has been in the attacking front and striker Wolfe holds the torch to show them the light. Sponsorless United SC will be without their dependable Nigerian centre-back Bello Rassaq due to injury and it will be a good chance for Wolfe to make the most of United SC defensive woes. “If everything goes according to plan and Wolfe converts the chances he gets, I think will do well,” added Mariano, who thinks he can not only top the group ahead of Eagles FC and Pune FC but can also make it to the finals.
Out of the 20 member squad named by Churchill Bros all players are fit but only Alesh will be ruled out for tomorrows match due to injury. India international Lenny Rodrigues is another key figure for Churchill Bros in the midfield. Lenny has not had a great season so far and will be eager to rediscover his best form in this tournament
“Tomorrow’s match is very important progress top the semi-finals and take every match at a time. A good performance here will also boost our prospects in the I-League,”signed off Mariano .
