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Venue: Galolhu National Stadium, Male
Kickoff: Wednesday, April 23 2014, 18:30 IST
Out of contention
It has been a dismal AFC Cup campaign for New Radiant as they have already been eliminated with just three points from five matches. But their performances aren’t much of a surprise even to the locals of Maldives as they suffered from a lack of competitive action. This is because the AFC Cup is the only tournament that New Radiant are competing in at present as the domestic league doesn’t start until July due to the renovation work at the stadiums for the AFC Challenge Cup next month. Barring the departure of Maldives superstar Ali Ashfaq to the Malaysian second tier, the local group of players remains similar to the one that reached the quarters last year. But the club has only been able to sign one foreigner in Ghanaian defender Jonathan Quartey due to the absence of domestic football.
Despite the problems in preparations, New Radiant started the AFC Cup campaign on a winning note as they defeated Singapore’s Home United on matchday one. But they have suffered four straight defeats, failing to score in each of the matches. The Maldives champions have had three different coaches in that period with Scotsman Simon McMenemy currently in charge. McMenemy, who is best known for guiding Philippines to the semis of the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, has tried to improve the fitness and confidence levels of the squad but that hasn’t brought an improvement in the results. New Radiant cannot reach the knockouts anymore but can stop Churchill Brothers from achieving the same and a result in this game will kickstart McMenemy’s tenure.
In their hands
Photo Credit: Churchill Brothers
Incredibly Churchill Brothers could still progress to the round of 16 of the AFC Cup even though they are still not assured of playing in next season’s I-League. Much like their I-League survival hopes, Churchill Brothers remain the masters of their own destiny in the AFC Cup as well. All they need to do is beat New Radiant but even a draw or defeat could send them through as long as they match Home United’s result against Persipura Jayapura in Indonesia. With that match finishing before Churchill Brothers’ kickoff in Maldives, the Goan club will have the advantage of knowing exactly what is required. The Red Machines have picked up all their points from home matches but despite losing their two away fixtures, they were highly competitive in both games.
It’s clear that in the AFC Cup, Churchill Brothers play without any fear as there is no threat of relegation like in the I-League. Mariano Dias’ side suffered a damaging home loss at the weekend and thus might need to beat third-placed Salgaocar on Sunday to preserve their top-flight status. Their downfall from being I-League holders has been swift but in the AFC Cup that has not been evident as they have played with confidence and matched stronger opposition. Churchill’s best performance came in the convincing 3-0 victory over New Radiant on matchday two but they can’t expect a similar easy outing this time. New Radiant will be eager for revenge and despite lacking a bit of match sharpness, they will be fresher than the Indian club. Given a choice, Churchill Brothers would happily choose I-League survival over AFC Cup progression but sealing a knockout berth will surely enhance their self-belief for the weekend’s relegation decider.
Form Guide
New Radiant: WLLLL
The Maldives outfit have been eliminated from the AFC Cup group stage three times in the past with 2007 being their worst showing as they lost all six games. That year they were drawn in the same group as India’s Mahindra United and were beaten 2-0 on home soil.
Churchill Brothers: DDLWL
The two-time Indian champions have won just two of their last eight fixtures and haven’t won outside Goa since the Federation Cup final, which was played in Kochi in January. They have won only one of their previous seven away AFC Cup matches with the other six ending in defeat.
Team News
New Radiant
Coach McMenemy has a full-strength squad to choose from and unlike Churchill Brothers doesn’t have any weekend fixture to worry about. Ghanaian defender Jonathan Quartey will be available after missing out on the away match due to visa issues while star striker Mohammad Umair is also set to feature after only making the bench on matchday two due to injury.
Possible XI: Imran Mohamed; Ahmed Abdhulla, Ahmed Shafiu, Jonathan Quartey, Mohamed Rasheed; Mukuthar Naseer, Mohamed Sifan, Ahmed Niyaz, Ali Fasir; Ibrahim Fazeel; Mohammad Umair
Churchill Brothers
The Indian side are without several first team regulars like Balwant Singh, Abdelhamid Shabana, Raju Yumnam, Asley Fernandes and Jaison Vales while Australian defender Daniel Zeleny also hasn’t made the trip. They are either injured or rested for the crucial I-League game against Salgaocar. It would be interesting to see who partners Anthony Wolfe upfront with former India international Anthony Pereira being an option.
Possible XI: Arindam Bhattacharya/Lalit Thapa; Denzil Franco, Sanjay Balmuchu, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Satish Singh; Warren Rebello, Lenny Rodrigues, Micky Fernandes, Richard Costa; Anthony Pereira, Anthony Wolfe
Key Men
New Radiant – Jonathan Quartey
The Ghanaian defender was heavily missed in the 3-0 defeat on matchday two and will have to play an important role if New Radiant want to avoid a fifth straight defeat.
Churchill Brothers – Anthony Wolfe
Wolfe (no.30)
The Trinidad & Tobago attacker will have extra responsibility in the absence of Balwant and had scored against New Radiant in the home game. Wolfe would be looking to inspire Churchill to the knockouts.
