Margaon: Churchill Brothers Sports Club will face a tough challenge when they will take on Kingfisher East Bengal in an important I-League clash at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Friday Jan. 27. Churchill has lost two of their last three matches.

Churchill’s coach Manuel Gomes is keen to break the trend. But the Portuguese coach will find it extremely difficult to contain the marauding rival strikers as he struggles to put up a decent defence.

Defenders Gouramangi Singh and Denzil Franco are both suspended with double bookings and the coach may have to bring in new faces to fill the void. One such player that the coach is banking on is Saran Singh who has not had much to do in League so far. Naveen Kumar Sudhakaran is expected to play at the centre of defence.

The coach will also be concerned by the continued absence of Lalrindika Ralte due to injury. Jerry Zirsanga is almost certain to be handed a place in the starting line-up.

The clash against East Bengal will be crucial to Churchill’s title chances and there is a general belief that another defeat could spell doom for the former champions.

East Bengal on the other hand, have given a good account of themselves but at times Trevor Morgan’s side has appeared sluggish. Inconsistency, too, has been a big bane.

“Yes, our performance has been inconsistent. We lost some of the matches which we should have won. But having said that, I think we are in a good position. Ideally, we would have loved to be at the top of the table by now. We need to stay focused,” Morgan told the-aiff.com in a previous interview.

The coach also has defensive concerns, something he intends to correct with the return of Nirmal Chettri. “Defensive organisation is an aspect we need to improve upon,” said the coach.

The kick-off is at 3.30pm.

By Indian Sports News