CHARLES D’SOUZA
MARGAO
Churchill Brothers Sports Club will have to play out of their skins when they take on Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan in the crucial match of the I-League at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Saturday at 5.30pm.
Churchill Bros’ performance has fluctuated from being ordinary to brilliant this season while apparently after their mid-season resurgence, their pattern of play has now become predictable. Churchill Bros have shown they are slow-starters, who up the pace in the second session and only decide to bolt in the late stages of the game. Had they shown the same resilience and aggression from the kick off, their standing would have been far high up than the present situation, their striking woes not withstanding.
If coach Alfred Fernandes can, however, conjure up a win for his side against Mohun Bagan they will leapfrog on the league table sealing an automatic berth to the Super Cup.
Fernandes knows it is now or never for the team. “When we play at home, we have an extra boost. Yes, obviously boys were feeling a bit down following the draw against Gokulam FC, Kerala. We were really disappointed but now we have shifted our focus to tomorrow’s match against Mohun Bagan,” Fernandes told the The Goan.
“There has been a positive vibe amongst the boys and they are determined to take the fight to Mohun Bagan tomorrow. Although we were left aghast last week; now we are feeling the fire under our belly to impose a tough challenge to them,” he added.
Mohun Bagan are now in fourth place with 27 points from 16 matches whereas Churchill Bros are in the ninth spot with 17 points from 16 matches.
“We know the match is going to be extremely crucial, not only for us but also for them. We have to keep an eye on the other matches as the calculations will prove to be pivotal in our quest to qualify for the Super Cup and to avoid the drop,” Fernandes mentioned.
Wing-back Wayne Vaz is yet to recover from a knee injury and will be ruled out for tomorrow’s match. “The boys are in great shape and everyone is ready to give it the best shot against the former champions,” said the Red Machines coach.
Meanwhile, the gaffer showed his concern over holding the concentration throughout the 90 minutes which might be the key aspect in tomorrow’s clash against the Kolkata giants
“We have to be at the top of our game for 90 minutes and it might be the key to get a positive result. We cannot afford to lose our concentration any time,” warned Fernandes.
I-League
Churchill Bros vs Mohun Bagan 5:30 PM, Star Sports 2
