PANJIM: Churchill Brothers FC will look to break their duck as they take on DSK Shivajians in their I-League match at Balewadi Stadium, Pune, on Saturday.
The only Goan side in the league is yet to register a win in the competition, having lost their previous three encounters in the league.
“We are come here with a mission to win and the three points is what we need at the moment. We lost last three matches but we are aiming to uplift our performance for our fans,” Churchill Brothers interim coach Alfred Fernandes said.
Churchill Bros new signing Bektur Talgat Uulu is likely to play against DSK. The Kyrgyzstan midfielder has trained with the team and is available for the match day squad.
“The good thing is we don’t have any injuries and the Bektur is likely to support Wolfe tomorrow, that shall give him more support from the midfield. His inclusion will release the pressure from the youngsters,” added Alfred.
“DSK is a good side and definitely it will be a tough encounter but our lads are ready to face them,” added Alfred. The away team is yet to record any points on the table, in this season’s Hero I-League. “We are playing good football. Hopefully, tomorrow’s match can be a turning point for us to put points on the board,” Coach Alfred Fernandes mentioned.
He added, “In the first three matches, we played to our potential, displaying good performances, but the results did not go our way.”
“The team missed on a couple of chances, in the opening match against Mohun Bagan. In the second match, at home to Mumbai, we scored the first goal. But we could not hold on to it, as we conceded a goal in the final minute. In the last match, we lost to East Bengal, despite playing a good match, tactically,” Coach Alfred Fernandes lamented.
It will be the first time ever that these sides meet in the I-League. DSK coach Dave Rogers said he is looking forward to the fixture.
“We’ll approach this game in the same manner that we’ve approached the other games. We are expecting another tough game tomorrow. ” he said.
“The players are ready and prepared in the right way, both mentally and physically. We are looking forward to the game against Churchill Brothers. It’s great to see them back to where they belong,” Rogers added.
“Churchill Brothers have got good players. They have a good manager. In this league, anyone is capable of beating anybody, on the day. If you do not prepare the right way and underestimate opponents, then you can face problems”, Rogers concluded.
Elsewhere, Kolkata football giants Mohun Bagan will eye their fourth straight win in the I-League when they face debutants Chennai City FC here on Saturday.
Mohun Bagan have won their opening three matches of the tournament, all of which were played at their home ground in Kolkata.
Bagan pummelled Minerva Punjab FC 4-0 at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium in their last game, in which their star forward Haitian Sony Norde and Brazil born defender Eduardo Fereirra made their first appearance for the club in the season.
Norde sizzled with his trickery with the ball although the goals were scored by Scottish striker Darryl Duffy and Jeje Lalpekhlua.
Duffy’s form has been encouraging for coach Sanjoy Sen, having scored four goals in their last two matches.
One among Jeje or Balwant Singh, who scored in their first match against Churchill Brothers, would partner Duffy. Both have staked their claim for a first team spot with important goals.
Chennai, coached by Robin Charles Raja, have found the going difficult like fellow newcomers Minerva and Churchill Brothers.
They will hope to utilise their home advantage at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium but an under-cooked side and lack of preparation in front of the goal have been their bane.
They will have to punch above their weight if they harbour any hopes of getting a positive result from the match on Saturday. The only point they have garnered so far was against Minerva, playing a goalless draw at home.
