ONGC challenge for Pailan Arrows

Holicharan Narzary stays the highest goal-scorer for Pailan Arrows.

KOLKATA: Pailan Arrows will look to get over a series of reverses that have halted their brilliant start to the season, when they meet another salvation-seeking side, ONGC, in the ninth round of the I-League at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday (December 1).

Arthur Papas, Pailan’s Australian Coach insists they will have to make best use of the situation. “We are looking to regain the rhythm after our loss in the last match. Tomorrow we play at home and it’s an advantage,” Papas said.

The Arrows coach will be looking towards his strikers — Holicharan Narzary and Alwyn George and attacking midfielder Milan Singh to deliver the goods in the crucial match. “We do not have any injury problems,” Papas added. “We always want to do well as a team,” Papas said.

Pailan Arrows who are on 11 points from eight rounds are the sole team in the I-League without any foreign recruit.

Papas added: “ONGC are a good side. It can be gauged from the fact that they beat a side like Dempo and also held Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw. Also one shouldn’t forget they held Prayag United to a 1-1 draw.”

Meanwhile, ONGC coach Subrata Bhattacharya will have his task cut out he sits down to select the team. Nigerian defender Hassan Adeola and the hardworking Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa are serving suspensions while former India International and Captain of the side, Jatin Bisht stays unavailable for of personal reasons.

“We have five points and the team is in the relegation zone at the moment. Our first effort will be to get the team out of its present situation,” Bhattacharya said. “Pailan Arrows are a very good side. The players are young and fit. They have lot of energy and chase lot. We will have to play well to succeed against them,” the ONGC coach added.

“We have a good reserve bench and will hopefully find the replacements for the names missing,” Bhattacharya added.