the goan I network
PANAJI
Churchill Brothers will clash with fellow title-contenders Real Kashmir FC in the Hero I-League at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Thursday at 5pm. Both teams shared a point each in the first-leg match in Srinagar, with the game ending 0-0.
Churchill Bros find themselves in second position after 14 rounds, just two behind leaders Chennai City FC. A win on Thursday will be gold dust as the home team aspires for a third Hero I-League triumph. The Red Machines are at their best this season, having been beaten only twice, and have won eight matches and drawn four.
More importantly, Churchill Bros, under the guidance of Romanian coach Petre Gigiu, have demonstrated some attractive football and apart from Willis Plaza’s sublime goal-scoring form, Gambian playmaker Dawda Ceesay, has also been in an excellent touch this season.
Both teams, Churchill Bros and I-League debutants Real Kashmir FC are on 28 points each from 14 matches, but the Goan team is in the second spot because of a higher goal-difference. Churchill have scored 26 goals this season and are the second highest goal-scoring team after Chennai City, who lead with 31 goals.
“Every game is very important because if we lose any game right now, we will be out of the title race. We need to be in the fight and our next match is going to be a tough match,” said Churchill Bros coach Gigiu at the pre-match press conference.
I-League debutants Real Kashmir are also very competitive defensively and have not tasted defeat in the last couple of months owing to clever strategic switches in the team brought about by their Scottish coach David Robertson. They will, however, miss the services of Ivorian striker Gnohere Krizo , who scored the winner in the last game against Chennai and has been an important influence in their attack, and Abed Kofi through suspension.
“In our last match, we overpowered Chennai but tomorrow’s game will be difficult. We are focussing on one game at a time. We always try to give our best. Churchill is a good team to play against. The next six matches will be difficult as all the top teams are good,” coach Robertson added.
That second win over Chennai by Kashmir has thrown the 12th Hero I-League title race wide open. Kashmir have conceded only seven goals so far, with eight clean sheets. They are the best defensive side in the league and they have proven that again and again “ a point emphasised by Churchill Bros tactician Gigiu. His side though, have impressed one and all with their relentless attacking displays and as a result, the match-up sets up a cracker at the Tilak Maidan.
