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Venue: Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao, Goa
Kickoff: Wednesday, April 9 2014, 17:30 IST
Perfect Home Record
Despite their troubles in the I-League, Churchill Brothers remain India’s best hope in this year’s AFC Cup. Going into the final two matchdays of the group stage, the Goan club are second in their group and thus could still make the knockouts. All of their six points have come on home soil with both wins coming in convincing fashion against Maldives’ New Radiant and Singapore’s Home United. Churchill also put up a decent performance in the away defeat to Persipura Jayapura in Indonesia on matchday one while last week they only suffered a narrow defeat away at Singapore’s Home United despite being badly hit by injuries and suspension. Having also won the Federation Cup in January, it’s fair to say that this season the Red Machines have saved their best for the cup competitions.
Just like in the Federation Cup, the Churchill Brothers squad have played in the AFC Cup without any pressure and more importantly capitalised on the hot and humid conditions of Goa, which has made life very difficult for the visiting teams. But in the I-League there is the fear of relegation and it was evident again at the weekend as they couldn’t hold on to a lead that they took after 72 minutes. Their perfect home record in the AFC Cup will be tested to the fullest by group toppers Persipura Jayapura but Churchill Brothers would relish being the underdogs again and look to get another positive result.
Favourites
Persipura Jayapura defeated Churchill Brothers 2-0 on matchday onePhoto Credit: Churchill Brothers
When the draw came out, Persipura Jayapura were the clear favourites to qualify for the round of 16 as Group E winners and they certainly have lived up to the expectations. The Indonesian champions are unbeaten so far with three wins and a draw and another point in this clash will be enough for them to qualify and win the group as well. Persipura have benefitted from the break in the Indonesian Super League due to the legislative elections as they have been able to focus entirely on the AFC Cup. They only resume their league campaign next week so by then their place in the knockouts could be sealed.
However nothing can be taken away from Persipura’s performances as they have not only been the best in the group but at times outclassed their opponents. Usually there is very little difference between club teams of South and South-East Asia, but Persipura are one of the best teams and even capable of beating West Asian opposition. They would be eager to at least match their quarter-final finish in 2011 but the Indonesian outfit must guard against complacency and also adapt to the conditions of Goa. Anything less than an away win will be an upset.
Form Guide
Churchill Brothers: WWLLD
Since winning the Federation Cup in January, Churchill Brothers have won just four of their 11 games and half of those victories have come in the AFC Cup. Like East Bengal last year, they are aiming to finish with a perfect home record at the group stage.
Persipura Jayapura: WWDWW
Persipura are yet to lose any competitive match this season as they are unbeaten over nine fixtures. Back in 2011 they were drawn in the same group as East Bengal and they failed to win the away match in Kolkata as it finished 1-1.
Team News
Churchill Brothers
The hosts are expected to be without defender Dharmaraj Ravanan, midfielder Lenny Rodrigues and the versatile Saran Singh as all three are carrying injuries. Coach Mariano Dias doesn’t want to take a risk with either of them as they have important I-League games coming up. Young fullback Satish Singh is suspended but Egyptian midfielder Abdelhamid Shabana and Trindiad & Tobago attacker Anthony Wolfe are available again. Raju Yumnam is not completely fit but could still start at left back due to the lack of defensive options.
Possible XI: Lalit Thapa; Denzil Franco, Sanjay Balmuchu Daniel Zeleny, Raju Yumnam; Richard Costa, Abdelhami Shabana, Asley Fernandes, Jaison Vales; Balwant Singh, Anthony Wolfe
Persipura Jayapura
The Indonesian club too have a couple of key suspensions as South Korean central midfielder Lim Joon-Sik and Liberian striker Boakay Eddie Foday are ineligible for this clash after receiving two yellows each. It remains to be seen which players are picked as their replacements but Lukas Mandowen is likely to replace Foday while Gerald Pangkali will have extra responsibility in midfield due to absence of Joon-Sik. Coach Jacksen F. Tiago though doesn’t have any domestic assignments to worry about for now and thus can pick a full-strength side.
Possible XI: Yoo Jae-Hoon; Yustinus Pae, Daniel Tata, Bio Paulin, Ruben Sanadi; Gerald Pangkali, Imanuel Wanggai, Ian Kabes, Yohanes Pahabol; Boaz Solossa, Lukas Mandowen
Key Men
Churchill Brothers: Anthony Wolfe
Photo Credit: Churchill Brothers
The Trinidad & Tobago attacker has been Churchill’s best player in recent weeks and was badly missed in the defeat to Home United last week. Wolfe has scored in both the previous two home AFC Cup games so he would be determined to make it three in a row.
Persipura Jayapura: Boaz Solossa
The club captain has been inspirational with three goals in the group stage including the match-winning brace against Maldives’ New Radiant last week. He scored in the home game against Churchill and now would be looking to get on the scoresheet again and do the double over the Indian champions.
