GOA: Salgaocar Sports Club are keen to extend their fine run in six matches -- where they have collected 16 points -- as they gear for a no-holds-barred battle against Churchill Brothers at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday. Salgaocar had a shaky start but in the last six matches they have collected more points than any other team in the competition and are now feeling confident that they are as good, if not better, than any of the top four teams vying for the title.
“I do not see any reason why we should not be able to extend our fine run. The confidence is high, the morale of the team in training is high and everyone is raring to go. I think we are in a good frame of mind to take on Churchill,” said Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa
Salgaocar will be strengthened with the return of star striker Edeh Chidi from injury and midfielder Ishfaq Ahmed from suspension. A couple of other players who were nursing injuries have also regained fitness.
“We have done really well in the last six matches and the credit should go to the players. Churchill is also a strong side, they have done well in the league but as I always say we fear no team,” explained Bencherifa.
Salgaocar will also be looking to collect full points a result that will see them move a step closer to being in the top three. The defending champions have 25 points in their kitty and are placed sixth at the moment
Churchill Brothers were grounded by Mohun Bagan at Fatorda in their previous clash here but the former champions responded well by securing a 2-0 victory against Shillong Lajong FC. Churchill are aware that they cannot afford to drop any more points as the title race gets tighter.
“There is no room for error. We must take full points from this match,” said manager Danzie Ferrao.
Pune FC’s take on Air India
PUNE: In a derby match, Air India will host Pune FC, who would be looking to secure full points in the 16th round I League encounter to be played at the Belawadi Sports Complex on Sunday.
The way Pune FC played against Mumbai FC on Wednesday, it showed that the team has evolved over time after having gone without a loss for nine matches—last reverse came against Dempo SC, Goa in the first week for December.
Last time when the two teams met in the 7th round, Pune FC defeated Air India 2-0 at the same ground and overall the Pune outfit leads 2-1 in I-League with one match drawn.
Pune’s Coach Derrick Pereira would hope that Pune FC’s dream run continues having got out of the difficult home ties against Mohun Bagan and East Bengal—winning one and drawing the other—before they head for their series of away matches starting with Shillong Lajong in Guwahati.
In the last five matches, Pune FC has three wins and two draws—the wins coming against Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers and Mumbai FC—if one wants to put the opponent teams in the order of difficulty.
Air India, meanwhile has met its low during last five encounters after having surprised many with their away wins against formidable opponents. Having beating Dempo SC in December, Air India was on a high, but at home on Wednesday, Dempo showed Air India its place with a 3-1 win after having led the match 3-0 till the 89th minute of the match.
Losses against Kolkata sides, Bagan and East Bengal, at the Salt Lake Stadium, actually shattered their form, and it will take more than regular show to be able to penetrate against a solid Pune FC tomorrow.
Pune FC currently are at No 5 position with 26 points from 15 matches, while Air India are lying at No 7 position with 20 points from 15 outings.
“I do not see any reason why we should not be able to extend our fine run. The confidence is high, the morale of the team in training is high and everyone is raring to go. I think we are in a good frame of mind to take on Churchill,” said Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa
Salgaocar will be strengthened with the return of star striker Edeh Chidi from injury and midfielder Ishfaq Ahmed from suspension. A couple of other players who were nursing injuries have also regained fitness.
“We have done really well in the last six matches and the credit should go to the players. Churchill is also a strong side, they have done well in the league but as I always say we fear no team,” explained Bencherifa.
Salgaocar will also be looking to collect full points a result that will see them move a step closer to being in the top three. The defending champions have 25 points in their kitty and are placed sixth at the moment
Churchill Brothers were grounded by Mohun Bagan at Fatorda in their previous clash here but the former champions responded well by securing a 2-0 victory against Shillong Lajong FC. Churchill are aware that they cannot afford to drop any more points as the title race gets tighter.
“There is no room for error. We must take full points from this match,” said manager Danzie Ferrao.
Pune FC’s take on Air India
PUNE: In a derby match, Air India will host Pune FC, who would be looking to secure full points in the 16th round I League encounter to be played at the Belawadi Sports Complex on Sunday.
The way Pune FC played against Mumbai FC on Wednesday, it showed that the team has evolved over time after having gone without a loss for nine matches—last reverse came against Dempo SC, Goa in the first week for December.
Last time when the two teams met in the 7th round, Pune FC defeated Air India 2-0 at the same ground and overall the Pune outfit leads 2-1 in I-League with one match drawn.
Pune’s Coach Derrick Pereira would hope that Pune FC’s dream run continues having got out of the difficult home ties against Mohun Bagan and East Bengal—winning one and drawing the other—before they head for their series of away matches starting with Shillong Lajong in Guwahati.
In the last five matches, Pune FC has three wins and two draws—the wins coming against Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers and Mumbai FC—if one wants to put the opponent teams in the order of difficulty.
Air India, meanwhile has met its low during last five encounters after having surprised many with their away wins against formidable opponents. Having beating Dempo SC in December, Air India was on a high, but at home on Wednesday, Dempo showed Air India its place with a 3-1 win after having led the match 3-0 till the 89th minute of the match.
Losses against Kolkata sides, Bagan and East Bengal, at the Salt Lake Stadium, actually shattered their form, and it will take more than regular show to be able to penetrate against a solid Pune FC tomorrow.
Pune FC currently are at No 5 position with 26 points from 15 matches, while Air India are lying at No 7 position with 20 points from 15 outings.