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I-League Preview: Chirag United - Salgaocar
Two teams who drew their last two matches go head to head in Barasat…
05-Nov-2009 6:59:00 PM
Kickoff: Thursday, November 6, 16:30 IST
Venue: Vidyasagar Krirangan, Barasat
Venue: Vidyasagar Krirangan, Barasat
Second placed Chirag United, who are level on points with league leaders Dempo, take on tenth placed Salgaocar, who are unbeaten in their last three matches.
Chance To Go Top
Dempo’s draw against Pune presented Chirag the opportunity to go top in the last round but the Kolkata outfit could only take one point against Sporting Clube de Goa. They might go top with just a point in this game but a win could see them stay there at the end of round also considering the fact that Dempo face Churchill. Chirag have shown in the last three rounds that their good start in the first three games wasn’t because they played at home but in this game they would be determined to get three points and not just maintain their unbeaten start.
Somnath Khara’s good displays have seen him keep his place in the first team ahead of former Indian goalkeeper Sandip Nandy while the defence has also improved. The Brazilian strike duo of Josimar and Edmilson are statistically the best partnership in the league having scored ten of the team’s twelve goals. But Subrata Bhattacharya would be hoping that others contribute also.
Chirag were not too comfortable playing at Salt Lake’s artificial turf in pre-season but they haven’t lost a single game in ninety minutes there so a shift to Barasat for this game may not be a welcome change. Salgaocar have looked difficult to beat so far this season therefore Chirag have to be at their best to make sure that they regain pole position for two days at least.
Good Away Form
The Goan outfit occupies 10th spot but they have been doing well on their travels and other than their 1-4 defeat at the hands of Mahindra, it has been a decent season so far. Tim Hankinson’s team finally managed to keep a clean sheet in the last game with Brazilian Luciano Sabrosa in fine form. His and veteran goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey’s experience has helped the Salgaocar backline. The midfield has been working hard and is gaining confidence with every game.
Goals still remain a cause for concern as they have managed only six from five matches with Eneke scoring four of them. So once he fails like in the last game against Lajong, Salgaocar don’t look like scoring. Not many teams will come out with one point from away games against East Bengal and Shillong Lajong but Salgaocar managed to do that.
At some stage of the season though, they would have to stop getting draws and convert them to wins. But that doesn’t necessarily have to be start in this game as they are up against second placed Chirag so another draw won’t be a bad result. However three points could give them the belief to think beyond just survival.
Form Guide
Chirag United:
Nov 2: Sporting Clube de Goa 1-1 Chirag United
Oct 27: Mahindra United 2-2 Chirag United
Oct 23: Viva Kerala 0-1 Chirag United
Salgaocar:
Nov 2: Shillong Lajong 0-0 Salgaocar
Oct 29: East Bengal 1-1 Salgaocar
Oct 25: Sporting Clube de Goa 2-3 Salgaocar
Team News
Chirag United:
The Kolkata side has no injuries or suspensions but is considering a replacement for Australian defender Keegan Nash who returned to his country to have surgery on his injured ankle.
Salgaocar:
Tim Hanksion's side have no injury worries and have all their players available.
Players To Watch:
Chirag United – Edmilson
The Brazilian has scored five already this season and so will be looking to get on the scoresheet in this game also.
Salgaocar – Luciano Sabrosa
The central defender needs to have a good game at the back to deal with twin threat of Edmilson and Josimar.
Key Areas…
This game is likely to be decided on the middle of the park. Both teams have good foreign strikers and defenders but the service and work rate from both sets of medios will be the key in this match.
Amoy Ghoshal
Inside Goal.Com
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