KOCHI, February 14: It'll be a battle between pride and superiority tomorrow in the 2nd Philips National Football League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.While the hosts FC Kochin will look to salvage the lost pride after they lost to NFL leaders Mohun Bagan on Thursday by a solitary goal, Air-India would try its best to extend their unbeaten run -- in 11 matches -- intact.
Air-India, Mumbai, are now second with 21 points and FC Kochin are third with 17 points from 11 matches. They will be fighting for more than one reason on Sunday under the lights. Both the teams had split points in the Mumbai match with a goalless draw.
However, Bimal Ghosh's boys which finished sixth in the inaugural edition of the NFL, are a confident lot and are eager to improve their performance and if possible with a win. ``If we do not win next three matches we cannot finish in the first three places,'' observed Ghosh, the unassuming coach of the Mumbai club.
AI will be missing the dependable defender Jeevan Moraes. Theupcoming youngster limped off in the midst of their match against JCT on Wednesday. Godfrey Pereira has to rush back today morning as news came from his home saying that his son is indisposed. Godfrey's presence on the field is doubtful though team management is sure he will return on Sunday morning.
Advantage for JCT
NEW DELHI: A 3-1 win against Dempo in Goa last month has been the only high point for JCT (Phagwara) in recent days in the Philips National Football League. The home team once again gets a chance to repeat that performance when they take on Dempo at Ambedkar Stadium, tomorrow.
It may be recalled that Seriki was suspended following a scuffle with Dempo's Brazilian star Antonio Marcelo. Keeping that in mind, the match should create a lot of heat. The four Nigerians in the JCT team Moosa Aliu, Stephen Abarowei, Emeka Achilefu and Seriki -- make a deadly combination and are expected to repeat the performance for the side.
Credit is indeed due to JCT's sturdy defenders Manjit,Manjinder and Tarsem Lal, who did a great job against Air-India last week. Though captain Harjinder Singh was unlucky with his attempts against Air-India, he is a player who can quickly make amends. Bhupinder Singh, who was in his elements last time, should once again be looking to maintain that performance.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
