Imphal: Back to winning ways after successive home defeats, debutants Neroca FC will look to carry the momentum forward when they take on a depleted Aizawl at the Khuman Lampak Stadium here on Saturday.
Currently second in the 10-men table, the Manipur based side are just two points behind leaders Minerva Punjab, but have a played a match more. A win against the defending champions will however take them to the top on 30 points from 15 games.
Winless in the last five league games, Aizawl are sixth, with 16 points after 12 matches. The last time they won was a 2-0 victory against Chennai City almost a month ago and require wins to move up the table.
“It will be difficult because Neroca are a good team. We expect a tough game but we are here to dignify our club so we will fight,” said head coach Paul Menezes.
Neroca on the other are chasing their maiden title and after a small blip, have once again gained momentum in the title-race. “If we don’t win, there is no chance to be champions. So we need to go away from the pressure and work hard,” said Raikhan.
But that they are the first team to make it to the top-division from Manipur and also are title aspirations have added pressure on their shoulders. Raikhan however was optimistic, “There will always be pressure because we’re on a very good run now. I feel pressure and all the players feel pressure. But football is all about pressure.”
High-flying Churchill face Arrows test
On a roll with just one defeat and six win in their last seven matches, a resurgent Churchill Brothers will look to carry the momentum forward when they take on Indian Arrows at the Tilak Maidan.
“After the Churchill Brothers team that changed in January, they are a completely different team and very strong. This team is an impressive team of players,” said Arrows coach Luis Norton Matos.
But his side unlike the ‘Red Machines’ have won just one in the last seven, five of which have ended up in defeats and with just one draw. The young development team have played well but conceding last minute goals have meant they often end up on the losing side.
“Results, as I say always, at the end you always remember the result and not how well you played,” added Matos.
Arrows with just 11 points from 14 games are ninth. Churchil on the other seventh on 16 points after 12 matches but coach Alfred Fernandes have his sights set on the top four.
“A realistic target is top four. If we win all our remaining matches, top four is a realistic target especially with top teams dropping points,” said Fernandes.
But Arrows won’t be an easy opponent. “I have already warned my boys that this match will be the toughest. I can play East Bengal, Mohun Bagan easily. But tomorrow is a very tough match because I can do some tactical work against other opponents. But this bunch of fearless boys, you never know, how they will start playing,” he added aware of the threat the young colts can possess.