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Friday’s I-League clash between Churchill Brothers (CB) and Pune FC (PFC) at the newly renovated Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa is a very important fixture in the title race, as a win for hosts Churchill will take them five points clear of second-placed East Bengal, while three points for Pune will give them a great chance of winning the league, as they will move four points within Churchill with a game in hand.
The sides have been two of the most consistent in recent seasons, but Churchill haven’t won the league since 2009 while Pune, who were only formed in 2007 and are considered to be the most professional club in India, are still looking for their first major trophy in Indian football.
Ahead of this vital encounter, Sportskeeda picks a combined eleven keeping in mind the AIFF’s rule of fielding only three foreigners, while those who are injured or suspended are also not considered for selection.
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper
Sandip Nandy (CB)
The veteran goalkeeper was written off by many after East Bengal refused to give him a new contract at the end of last season, but Sandip reunited with his former boss Subhash Bhowmick at Churchill Brothers and has played a pivotal role in their title challenge. The 38-year old has started in every I-League game, and been one of the best keepers of this campaign and thus earned a recall to the national team. At Churchill, Sandip has restored his reputation of being one of the best goalkeepers in the country.
Defenders
Right Back: Denzil Franco (CB)
In truth, there are not too many better right backs than Denzil in the whole of I-League, and this season he has arguably been the best. The 27-year old was always a threat going forward, but has also improved his defensive game this campaign, which helped catch the attention of the national coaching staff, with Denzil regaining his position in the first eleven at the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. Denzil’s absence has always bothered Churchill, so the Goan club would be hoping to keep him fit for the title run-in.
Centre Back: Anas Edathodika (PFC)
The 26-year old is one of the most underrated defenders in the I-League, but is rated very highly by Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira, and thus has become indispensable to the Red Lizards. One aspect where Anas has improved immensely is discipline, because earlier in his career he had developed a habit of picking up suspensions, but this season he has only earned one booking in 20 matches. The Kerala-born defender has held his own against some of the best foreign strikers this season and would be aiming to do the same for the remainder of the campaign.
Centre Back: Dharmaraj Ravanan (CB)
The former Mahindra United and Mohun Bagan center back is extremely unfortunate not to be in the national team as he has been one of the best players in his position this season. Ravanan had struggled to get into the team at times last season under Manuel Gomes, but has been revitalised under Bhowmick, who has also given the Tamil Nadu lad the captain’s armband. Despite being only 25, Ravanan already has plenty of experience in Indian club football and that has helped Churchill a lot in big matches this season.
Left Back: Gurjinder Singh (PFC)
The 22-year-old has been the best left back of this I-League, although his form has mainly picked up in the second half of the season. Gurjinder must have taken a lot of confidence from his impressive showing for the national team in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers last month as his overall game seems to have improved in recent weeks. The former India youth international faces tough competition as N Mohanraj is also in the Pune roster but Gurjinder’s consistency has made him a regular for the Pune club and a deserving entry into this eleven as Churchill don’t have a natural left back.
Midfielders
Right Midfield: Steven Dias (CB)
Like Sandip Nandy, Steven is another player who has undergone a revival under Subhash Bhowmick. The 29-year-old was a regular in the national team in the Bob Houghton era but hasn’t played for the country since August 2011. But the former Mahindra United player could soon be part of Wim Koevermans’ plans if he maintains the consistency that he has shown so far this season. Steven has managed six assists and two goals and has been producing quality from his crosses and set-pieces all season. Churchill are joint-top scorers in the I-League and Steven’s creativity has played a big role in it.
Central Midfield: Lenny Rodrigues (CB)
The 25-year old’s form might have dipped a bit in recent weeks due to fatigue but Lenny remains one of the best central midfielders in the I-League. Churchill Brothers are generally a very adventurous side, and thus Lenny’s work-rate and tackles in midfield is vital to break up opposition attacks and protect the back four. Lenny’s distribution and passing is also important to Churchill’s style of play and the Arsenal fan has also become an important member of the national team. Many clubs tend to have foreigners in central midfield, but Lenny can do an equally good job, if not better.
Central Midfield: Douhou Pierre (PFC)
The Ivorian has lost his place in the team in recent matches mainly because Derrick Pereira has started with two foreign strikers upfront, but the former Mahindra man could start in this game due to Arata Izumi’s suspension. In the early parts of the season, Douhou looked very dangerous and although he hasn’t been at his best of late, the 25-year old has plenty of quality to make the difference in big matches. As a result he gets our nod in central midfield ahead of Churchill’s young Bikramjit Singh although Douhou could start in an attacking midfield role for Pune in this game.
Left Midfield: Karma Tsewang (PFC)
We select this 24-year-old wide midfielder because of his consistency over the course of the season. Karma is equally comfortable on both flanks but looks more dangerous when he cuts inside from the left side. Blessed with pace, Karma is a very creative player and vital to Derrick Pereira’s plans and thus has featured in each of their 20 I-League matches this season. The Mysore-born player will surely be a target for other clubs in the summer and is not far away from the national team either, with Koevermans and his coaching staff keeping a close eye on his progress.
Forwards
Henri Antchouet (CB)
The Gabon striker has managed an excellent goal-scoring ratio this term despite not always being a regular. Antchouet has managed 11 goals in 19 appearances and besides scoring his overall play and physical presence has given plenty of problems to Churchill’s opponents. With Beto injured and Afghanistan international Balal Arezou still getting used to Indian football, there will be a lot more responsibility on Antchouet to deliver the goods in the run-in. The 33-year-old didn’t feature in the midweek AFC Cup game and thus would be refreshed for this crucial I-League clash.
James Moga (PFC)
This South Sudan international striker is wanted by several clubs next season following another stellar season in the I-League. Moga was inspirational for Sporting Clube de Goa in 2011-12 and this season he has got even better at Pune. The 30-year-old has netted ten times in 18 I-League appearances, but that doesn’t tell the full story, as he has also been a good team player and his physical presence has been giving defenders a nightmare. If Moga can maintain his form and land Pune their first-ever title, he would be considered in the same league as Ranti Martins and Odafa Okolie although it would become even more difficult for PFC to hold on to him.
