Mahindra keen to beat Singapore side to seal QF berth in AFC Cup

Margao, May 7 (UNI) National League champions Mahindra United will be keen to seal their quarter-final berth in the AFC Cup by beating Singapore Armed Forces when they meet at the Nehru Stadium in the penultimate group match here tomorrow.

A victory against the Singapore outfit would virtually place the Mumbai side to the next stage of AFC's second tier club championship.

The two teams are sharing the top of table in Group E with nine points each and a win in tomorrow's game will put the millmen three points clear of the Singapore side.

Mahindra will then take on pointless and bottom-placed New Radiant of Maldives at Male on May 22, while Singapore Armed Forces will be up against Hong Kong's Happy Valley in Singapore on the same day.

The Mumbai side will also enjoy a psychological edge as they had beaten the Singapore side 2-0 in Singapore in the opening day match on March 6.

However, Derrick Pareira's boys will have to shake off the nightmares of their last outing when they were shocked by Hong Kong's Happy Valley 1-2 in the away match on April 24 after having a smooth sailing by winning all the three previous matches.

Pereira admitted that it would be a crucial game as both the teams would need a win to go on top as the competition format allows only one club from each group and two best runners-up from the six groups to qualify into the second round.

''We have analysed our earlier defeat against Hong Kong and will go all out to snatch full points capitalising on home advantage, which is a tonic for us. Singapore Armed Forces are a good team with quick-footed players. They are physically stronger than us,'' he said.

Singapore coach Richard Bok was also clear that only a win would keep them alive in the tournament.

''We have come here to win and collect full points. A win for either team will help seal a second round berth,'' he said.

''Mahindra is a very good team. They defend very well and has a good strike force as well,'' he added.

UNI