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I-League Preview: Churchill Brothers - Sporting Clube de Goa
Goan derby promises to entertain...
16-Jan-2010 4:25:00 AM
By Atishay Agarwal
A Goan derby awaits us on Saturday, as Churchill Brothers take on Sporting Clube de Goa at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. Both teams lie near different ends of the table, but make no mistake, the match promises lots of entertainment.
Controlled, Not Free-Flowing...
Churchill Brothers had a superb second half in the league last season, where they played like true champions, and started this season in similar fashion, winning both the IFA Shield and Durand Cup, but have fallen a bit flat since. It's been said before, but they are playing in second gear at the moment.
Their performances in the league have been decent, not fantastic, and the results echo those views. They did alright in the Federation Cup in an easy group, but were upset by Shillong Lajong in the semi finals. Odafa has been much of a marked man this season, as he hasn't been the free-scoring striker he was last season. Teams are marking him much better now, which means that he's looking more to create opportunities for others.
And that's where it's not working. Vashum, who was superb up front in early season, is playing on the right wing most of the time, while Felix hasn't done too well. As a result, Churchill haven't been scoring enough goals, and have been easier to stop. However, they do seem to have an extra gear, as was visible when they played Dempo in the league, and were pushed to the limit. More of that will be required in the derby against Sporting, although they will be easier to break down at the back.
Free-Flowing, But No Control...
The coach might have changed, but Sporting's luck still hasn't taken a turn. Table-toppers for most of last season, the Goan side still lie bottom of the I-League after nine rounds, something unthinkable at the start of October.
However, that said, some of the football they have been playing has been fantastic. It's easy to criticize a team that hasn't won a single league game all season, but their quality of play must be appreciated as well. I would go as far as saying that some of the football they play is at times the best in the league, but ironically, result-wise, they're at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Against Mahindra in their previous game, they dominated the hosts throughout the first half, as Junior, Amos, and Joseph Pereira ran rings around David Booth's defence, and went into the break leading 1-0. However, the team looked very nervous while trying to hold on to the lead in the second period, as they still haven't won a game, and concentrated purely on defending. Two Steven Dias crosses later, they were down on their knees, having thrown away yet another game.
Playing against Churchill is likely to bring out the best in this team, which should be motivated for this encounter. The champions haven't been in great form themselves, and have been a touch distracted by various controversies recently, so Sporting have more of a chance now than later, when Churchill might find their feet a bit more.
Form Guide
Churchill Brothers
Jan 8: Mohun Bagan 2-2 Churchill Brothers
Dec 30: Churchill Brothers 0-1 Shillong Lajong
Dec 26: Churchill Brothers 2-0 Sporting Clube de Goa
Sporting Clube de Goa
Jan 10: Mahindra United 2-1 Sporting Clube de Goa
Dec 26: Churchill Brothers 2-0 Sporting Clube de Goa
Dec 23: HAL 0-2 Sporting Clube de Goa
Team News
Churchill Brothers
Robert Lalthampuana and Rowilson Rodrigues are nursing injuries.
Sporting Clube de Goa
Except for Wilton Gomes, the rest of the squad looks fine.
Player To Watch
Churchill Brothers - Odafa Okolie
The skipper was enraged after accusations of molestation, and came back with a vengeance against Bagan, scoring a brace. Odafa on any day is a handful for any defence, but an angry Odafa is another proposition altogether. Sporting will have to be very careful against the Nigerian.
Sporting Clube de Goa - Junior Obagbemiro
The Sporting captain looked in superb touch against Mahindra in the previous game, and also found the back of the net. His understanding with both Amos and Joseph Pereira is very pleasing on the eye, and rest assured, he will get into good positions in the game.
Key Areas
Both sides are attractive to watch going forward, so this game does promise a lot of goals. However, Churchill's backline is much more reliable. However, overall, it's Sporting's frame of mind which is their biggest weakness at the moment. If they truly believe that they can beat the champions, then they might just get something out of the game, else it should be Churchill's match. However, do expect both sides to score.
Controlled, Not Free-Flowing...
Churchill Brothers had a superb second half in the league last season, where they played like true champions, and started this season in similar fashion, winning both the IFA Shield and Durand Cup, but have fallen a bit flat since. It's been said before, but they are playing in second gear at the moment.
Their performances in the league have been decent, not fantastic, and the results echo those views. They did alright in the Federation Cup in an easy group, but were upset by Shillong Lajong in the semi finals. Odafa has been much of a marked man this season, as he hasn't been the free-scoring striker he was last season. Teams are marking him much better now, which means that he's looking more to create opportunities for others.
And that's where it's not working. Vashum, who was superb up front in early season, is playing on the right wing most of the time, while Felix hasn't done too well. As a result, Churchill haven't been scoring enough goals, and have been easier to stop. However, they do seem to have an extra gear, as was visible when they played Dempo in the league, and were pushed to the limit. More of that will be required in the derby against Sporting, although they will be easier to break down at the back.
Free-Flowing, But No Control...
The coach might have changed, but Sporting's luck still hasn't taken a turn. Table-toppers for most of last season, the Goan side still lie bottom of the I-League after nine rounds, something unthinkable at the start of October.
However, that said, some of the football they have been playing has been fantastic. It's easy to criticize a team that hasn't won a single league game all season, but their quality of play must be appreciated as well. I would go as far as saying that some of the football they play is at times the best in the league, but ironically, result-wise, they're at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Against Mahindra in their previous game, they dominated the hosts throughout the first half, as Junior, Amos, and Joseph Pereira ran rings around David Booth's defence, and went into the break leading 1-0. However, the team looked very nervous while trying to hold on to the lead in the second period, as they still haven't won a game, and concentrated purely on defending. Two Steven Dias crosses later, they were down on their knees, having thrown away yet another game.
Playing against Churchill is likely to bring out the best in this team, which should be motivated for this encounter. The champions haven't been in great form themselves, and have been a touch distracted by various controversies recently, so Sporting have more of a chance now than later, when Churchill might find their feet a bit more.
Form Guide
Churchill Brothers
Jan 8: Mohun Bagan 2-2 Churchill Brothers
Dec 30: Churchill Brothers 0-1 Shillong Lajong
Dec 26: Churchill Brothers 2-0 Sporting Clube de Goa
Sporting Clube de Goa
Jan 10: Mahindra United 2-1 Sporting Clube de Goa
Dec 26: Churchill Brothers 2-0 Sporting Clube de Goa
Dec 23: HAL 0-2 Sporting Clube de Goa
Team News
Churchill Brothers
Robert Lalthampuana and Rowilson Rodrigues are nursing injuries.
Sporting Clube de Goa
Except for Wilton Gomes, the rest of the squad looks fine.
Player To Watch
Churchill Brothers - Odafa Okolie
The skipper was enraged after accusations of molestation, and came back with a vengeance against Bagan, scoring a brace. Odafa on any day is a handful for any defence, but an angry Odafa is another proposition altogether. Sporting will have to be very careful against the Nigerian.
Sporting Clube de Goa - Junior Obagbemiro
The Sporting captain looked in superb touch against Mahindra in the previous game, and also found the back of the net. His understanding with both Amos and Joseph Pereira is very pleasing on the eye, and rest assured, he will get into good positions in the game.
Key Areas
Both sides are attractive to watch going forward, so this game does promise a lot of goals. However, Churchill's backline is much more reliable. However, overall, it's Sporting's frame of mind which is their biggest weakness at the moment. If they truly believe that they can beat the champions, then they might just get something out of the game, else it should be Churchill's match. However, do expect both sides to score.
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