Uphill task for Churchill against Mahindra in NFL tie tomorrow

Margao, Mar 30 (UNI) It will be a big challenge for Goa's Churchill Brothers to stop the fine run of defending champion Mahindra United, Mumbai in the ongoing ONGC National Football League championship match to be played here at Nehru stadium Fatorda tomorrow.

In the first leg both played out a 1-1 draw.

Mahindra presently at the top of the table with 21 points from 10 outings and six wins are flying high with three consecutive wins against Maldives in the AFC cup, against JCT and Durand cup Champions Dempo.

They are looking for their fourth win this time against Churchill Brothers, to increase their points tally and maintain their lead at the top.

Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira said. ''Churchill Brothers is a good team and have played well in the last three matches. We will not take them lightly but will go all out for a win and also look for early goals.'' The jeepmen squad looks powerful both on paper and performance.

Their three-pronged attack comprising Pomeyie Andrew Mensah, Yakubu Yusif and Abhisek Yadav have been quick to seize the chances.

Midfielder Mbaka Dady looks very competent spearheading the half line. The other two are Sushant Mathew, K Ajayan or S Venkatesh and defence is marsha led by Mahesh Gawali, N Prdeep, Surkumar singh.

Churchill Brothers placed sixth with 12 points have also played well in the last three matches. They beat Mohammedan Sporting by 3-1 and drew against Mohan Bagan and Sporting Club de Goa.

To play to its potential and make a match of it, the forwards and the defence of Churchill have to keep the pace with the dependable midfield.

Churchill coach Karim Bencherifa's main worry is that their dependable defenders Nicholas Muyoti and L Roberto will not be playing tomorrow as both are booked with double yellow cards which has considerably weakened their defence.

He said they were frustrated with six draws out of the ten outing so far. ''Tomorrow's is a big match for us and our strikers should be more efficient especially Odafe Okolie. Mahindra is a good team with star players but we have no star pleyers in the team,'' he added.

UNI