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Venue: Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao
Kickoff: Tuesday, March 11 2014, 17:30 IST
Home Advantage
Following a good start in 2014, which included the club’s first-ever Federation Cup triumph, the mood at Churchill Brothers has changed again for the worse as they are back in the I-League relegation spot after suffering a heavy defeat against Bengaluru at the weekend. The momentum they had built over a nine-match unbeaten run in domestic outings looks to be lost at the business end of the season unless the players can respond quickly. The coaching staff made it clear before the start of their AFC Cup campaign that I-League is the priority but perhaps this home fixture, their first continental match in Goa since 2010, will act as welcome distraction from the relegation battle.
Churchill Brothers lost their opening AFC Cup 2014 fixture away at Indonesia’s Persipura Jayapura but will fancy their chances of beating a foreigner-less New Radiant side from Maldives. Technical director Subhash Bhowmick and coach Mariano Dias would surely look to remind the young squad of their excellent performances in the Federation Cup where they got the better of teams that are placed well above them in the I-League table. With no domestic match at the weekend, the Red Machines can focus all their energies on this game and more importantly, a strong performance and a good result will be the perfect way to get over the weekend’s disappointment.
Under-prepared
Photo Credit: New Radiant SC
The reason why Churchill Brothers should believe that they can take all three points is because New Radiant are one of two most under-prepared teams of this year’s AFC Cup. The other team is fellow Maldives representatives Maziya as the start of the domestic season in the football-crazy island nation has been postponed until July due to the renovation work at the various stadiums for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup. Hence New Radiant’s 1-0 win over Singapore’s Home United on matchday one is even more commendable and perhaps also an indication that despite their problems, the Maldives champions could still get a result in Goa.
But their troubles don’t only end with lack of competitive action as last week the club also parted ways with Spanish coach Angel Perez Garcia, who only lasted for one game while their only foreigner, Ghanaian defender Jonathan Quartey, didn’t make the trip to India due to visa issues. Caretaker coach Ismail Anil would have to depend entirely on a local squad that crucially consists of several Maldives national team players but the fighting spirit and character they showed against Home United will also be necessary. There is no love lost between the football fans of the two nations so New Radiant would be determined to give a good account of themselves and build on their winning start.
Form Guide
Churchill Brothers: WDDLL
The I-League and Federation Cup holders have lost their last four AFC Cup fixtures going back to last season. They have also scored just twice from open play in their last five matches but have won their last two home fixtures.
New Radiant: WWLLW
The Maldives outfit have played just one competitive game this calendar year compared to Churchill’s ten. New Radiant won five of their six group fixtures in last year’s AFC Cup but have been beaten in two of the last three away games.
Team News
Churchill Brothers
The Goan outfit will miss the services of India international Balwant Singh, who is expected to be replaced by Costa Rican striker Cristian Lagos. Goalkeeper Lalit Thapa and Saran Singh have also been ruled out due to knocks but defenders Denzil Franco and Dharmaraj Ravanan are available again after missing out the matchday one fixture against Persipura Jayapura.
Possible XI: Arindam Bhattacharya; Denzil Franco, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Daniel Zeleny, Raju Yumnam; Jaison Vales, Lenny Rodrigues, Abedlhamid Shabana, Bineesh Balan; Anthony Wolfe, Cristian Lagos
New Radiant
Mohamed Sifan is expected to replace Quartey in central but there are doubts regarding the availability of midfielder Akram Abdhulla Gani and forward Mohamed Umair as both are carrying injuries. Ghani is likely to still make the starting eleven but Umair could make way for Ibrahim Fazeel to operate as the lone striker in a 4-4-1-1 system.
Possible XI: Imran Mohamed; Ahmed Abdhulla, Ahmed Shafiu, Mohamed Sifan, Mohamed Rasheed; Mukuthar Naseer, Akram Abdhulla Gani, Ahmed Niyaz, Ali Fasir; Shamweel Gasim; Ibrahim Fazeel
Key Men
Churchill Brothers – Anthony Wolfe
Wolfe (in red)
The Trinidad & Tobago attacker was outstanding in the Federation Cup but has been far from his best in the last four games. Wolfe has the perfect opportunity to improve against a foreigner-less New Radiant defence and get his team’s season back on track.
New Radiant – Ali Fasir
The Maldives international was one of New Radiant’s best players in their run to the AFC Cup quarters last year as he scored five times. Fasir will be aiming to fire on all cylinders and inspire his club to a historic win on Indian soil.
