Under-strength Mahindra in do-or-die battle against AI

Mumbai, Apr 27 (UNI) Hit hard by injuries and suspension of key players, a depleted Mahindra United will look to get back to their winning ways when they take on local rivals Air India in a crucial National Football League (NFL) tie at the Cooperage here tomorrow.

Defending champions Mahindra are anxious to put behind the surprise loss to bottom-placed HAL of Bangalore in their last league outing followed by another reversal against Happy Valley of Hong Kong in the AFC Cup away match earlier this week.

With the race for the NFL title hotting up, Mahindra can ill afford to drop any more points in their quest to upstage league leaders Dempo Sports Club of Goa, who have a superior goal difference in their favour.

''Tomorrow's match is crucial. It is a do-or-die situation for us. We have to keep the discipline at the back and play according to the plan,'' Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira said today.

Mahindra are now in second place in the ten-team league table with 26 points from 14 matches behind Dempo (32 points from 16 matches). They will not have the services of four key players due to injuries and suspensions.

Former India captain Shanmugham Venkatesh and Yusif Yakubu are out because of bookings, while defender Mahesh Gawli and goalkeeper Sandip Nandy will also miss the tie because of injuries.

But, Goa-born Pereira maintained that their absence would not affect the outcome of the match.

''Definitely they are quality players, but we just have to go and fight it out and (hope) replacements will do the job,'' he said.

UNI