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A mid-table clash on a day when the I-League title race could well be settled, does not create much excitement. However, when Aizawl FC played Churchill Brothers earlier this season in Vasco da Gama, there was no winner. The match had ended 1-1 with a goal in each half. Therefore, when these two teams meet again at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Saturday, proving who are better could be the motivating factor.
Aizawl FC, the former champions, have not been able to perform as per expectations this season. As a result, they are in the eighth spot on the points table and even a win on Saturday can only take them one place higher. Caetano Pinho’s boys have been winless in the last five matches and would definitely look to end the season on a high with full points in the last two games. Saturday’s encounter being their last home match, they can count on their passionate supporters one last time. It is also an opportunity to give them something to cheer about.
In the pre-match press conference, Pinho said, “I hope we utilise the crowd support tomorrow and get full points. We haven’t won many matches but boys have been doing well in training. They enjoy more when our supporters are there in the stands, so I’m personally requesting supporters to come in numbers tomorrow.
“There are times when we entertain supporters but this time the team is not at their best, so this time we need them,” he added.
While players like Henry Kisekka have ensured Aizawl FC are not starved of goals, it is his defence that has let down Pinho. In their 20 matches, Aizawl have scored 24 goals but conceding 26 has been their undoing. The Red Machines, on the other hand, are an even stronger attacking side. They have scored 32 goals. Abdoulaye Sane, Emmanuel Yaghr and Bayi Kamo have not found it too difficult to find the net. They even pumped in five goals past Rajasthan United and six past TRAU. Moreover, Churchill Brothers have been better in away matches this season. Therefore, it could be another difficult day for Pinho’s men.
Churchill Brothers coach Mateus Costa is in no mood to take Saturday’s tie lightly. “This match is doubly important after our defeat in the last match as this will decide how high we finish on the table,” he explained.
The match between Aizawl FC and Churchill Brothers will be telecast live on Eurosport, DD Sports and Discovery Plus OTT platform from 3pm IST.
