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High-flying Aizawl FC will aim to continue their winning form and look to upset table-toppers Churchill Brothers, who are unbeaten in the I-League 2020-21 so far, when the two sides clash swords at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium tomorrow, February 3.
The match is slated for a 7pm kick-off and will be broadcast live on 1Sports whilst being streamed on their Facebook page.
Four points adrift of the Red Machines and with a match in hand, Aizawl FC will be gearing up to cause an upset tomorrow and close the gap at the top. Winning 2-1 against NEROCA FC in their last match showed that Aizawl FC possess the attacking pedigree to find the net and the defensive stability to hold out for a win. However, all of their departments will be heavily tested when the Yan Law-coached side face an undefeated Churchill Brothers side.
Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, Yan Law said, “It is a vital game for us against Churchill Brothers tomorrow. They are one of the best teams in the I-League and it will be a tough game for us. However, we go into the game with high morale and aim to grab a positive result.”
“We need points to stay up in the top half of the table and we also need points to close down the gap between Churchill Brothers and us. However, it will not be an easy game. We will be tested to our limits.”
“I feel this game will not be very high-scoring because Churchill Brothers have a good defence and so do we. What I expect from this game is high intensity. It will be a very tight game and we will hope to get a win,” Law added.
Skipper Alfred Jaryan said, “We know the quality that Churchill Brothers possesses and it is going to be a tough clash for us. They are a very good side and they will test us to our limits. We have to work hard throughout the match and make our moments count if we have to get a positive result.”
Injuries in their 1-1 draw against TRAU FC last time around saw Churchill Brothers make as many as three forced substitutions in the first half, with even top scorer Clayvin Zuniga coming off. Still, the Red Machines showed no signs of weakness and infact dominated possession and created chances.
Four points clear of second-placed Aizawl FC, Churchill Brothers can extend their lead to as many as seven points if Fernando Varela’s team are able to get a win tomorrow. Speaking at the pre-match virtual meet, Varela said, “We have not won the I-League trophy yet, so we need to keep working with the same intensity and focus. We have to be concentrated in each and every game that comes ahead.”
“Against Aizawl FC, it will be a tough match as they have good talent amongst their ranks. They are also good at set-pieces and they will give us a tough fight.”
“However, we have our style of play and we are ready for them. We have to continue to create chances and continue our fine form in the I-League. It will be a tough challenge, but we are raring for it,” he added.
Midfielder Kingslee Fernandes said, “It is a very important match for us tomorrow against a very good team. We need to be on our toes through the entirety of the match and give our cent percent to get a positive result. We will aim for maximum points tomorrow.”
