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Federation Cup: Group C Analysis
Goal.com previews the four teams that form Group C...
21-Dec-2009 9:39:15 AM
Group C has a mix of top, bottom and mid-table teams with a
qualifier to add on...
‘C’ For Champs...
It’s been perfect for Churchill Brothers so far. After a rather nervy start to their I-League campaign, they belied their critics and ended the first phase on top.
What’s significant is that the team has continued its good defensive record and has conceded the least number of goals. Arindam Bhattacharya’s heroics in the SAFF Cup provides further boost if any game goes into the penalties. Gouramangi Singh has found an able partner at the back in Rowilson Rodrigues, who’ll go onto win accolades in the coming months.
Their form in the knockout tournaments has been the best in the country as they won the IFA Shield and the Durand Cup. With Odafa Okolie leading their side, they can be assured that the goals shall come.
But if asked to choose the main player at Churchill Brothers, the honour would undoubtedly go to Kalu Nnanna, who is the engine room of the Goan side. He can shoot, tackle, give through balls, score with his head and what not.
Don’t Count Us Out...
Just eight games back, no one has placed their belief in Mumbai FC as everyone expected them to fall apart like a pack of cards. But the scenario has completely changed as they are comfortably placed eighth on the I-League table.
Khalid Jamil’s side relies on team work and on their day, can upset some of the in-form sides like they beat Mohun Bagan and JCT not so long ago. They have preferred Evans Quao and Bernard Achaw for the Federation Cup with Kayne Vincent being the other foreign addition.
A lot would depend on how they start in the tournament and it would be wrong to disregard them again as they have it in them to upset the rhythm of other teams.
Sporting’s Vishwas...
On this occasion, none would point fingers at Peter Vaz for sacking a coach as Roy Barreto had failed to deliver the goods. The Flaming Oranje looked a disjointed unit, which is far from the wonderful form they were in last season.
The club placed trust in one of its trusted lieutenants in Vishwas Gaonkar, who managed to keep them at the top of the I-League for a long period, which was way too much than what was expected of them.
Last year, Sporting had a miserable Federation Cup campaign where they failed to win a single game. However, the good news for the club is that Junior Elijah is back in the fray and being awarded the captaincy shall boost his confidence further.
We Believe...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) shrugged off the challenge from ONGC at the Cooperage to qualify for the event. In a group involving heavyweights like Churchill and Sporting, one wonders whether the Bangalore based club has a chance to qualify. Probably, how they play might show the gap between the top division and the lower division sides in India.
Prediction...
On paper, its Churchill Brothers going through but overconfidence can kill anyone and therein, Sporting and Mumbai FC stand a chance. With a gruelling schedule of games, fitness will also play a vital role.
Rahul Bali.
‘C’ For Champs...
It’s been perfect for Churchill Brothers so far. After a rather nervy start to their I-League campaign, they belied their critics and ended the first phase on top.
What’s significant is that the team has continued its good defensive record and has conceded the least number of goals. Arindam Bhattacharya’s heroics in the SAFF Cup provides further boost if any game goes into the penalties. Gouramangi Singh has found an able partner at the back in Rowilson Rodrigues, who’ll go onto win accolades in the coming months.
Their form in the knockout tournaments has been the best in the country as they won the IFA Shield and the Durand Cup. With Odafa Okolie leading their side, they can be assured that the goals shall come.
But if asked to choose the main player at Churchill Brothers, the honour would undoubtedly go to Kalu Nnanna, who is the engine room of the Goan side. He can shoot, tackle, give through balls, score with his head and what not.
Don’t Count Us Out...
Just eight games back, no one has placed their belief in Mumbai FC as everyone expected them to fall apart like a pack of cards. But the scenario has completely changed as they are comfortably placed eighth on the I-League table.
Khalid Jamil’s side relies on team work and on their day, can upset some of the in-form sides like they beat Mohun Bagan and JCT not so long ago. They have preferred Evans Quao and Bernard Achaw for the Federation Cup with Kayne Vincent being the other foreign addition.
A lot would depend on how they start in the tournament and it would be wrong to disregard them again as they have it in them to upset the rhythm of other teams.
Sporting’s Vishwas...
On this occasion, none would point fingers at Peter Vaz for sacking a coach as Roy Barreto had failed to deliver the goods. The Flaming Oranje looked a disjointed unit, which is far from the wonderful form they were in last season.
The club placed trust in one of its trusted lieutenants in Vishwas Gaonkar, who managed to keep them at the top of the I-League for a long period, which was way too much than what was expected of them.
Last year, Sporting had a miserable Federation Cup campaign where they failed to win a single game. However, the good news for the club is that Junior Elijah is back in the fray and being awarded the captaincy shall boost his confidence further.
We Believe...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) shrugged off the challenge from ONGC at the Cooperage to qualify for the event. In a group involving heavyweights like Churchill and Sporting, one wonders whether the Bangalore based club has a chance to qualify. Probably, how they play might show the gap between the top division and the lower division sides in India.
Prediction...
On paper, its Churchill Brothers going through but overconfidence can kill anyone and therein, Sporting and Mumbai FC stand a chance. With a gruelling schedule of games, fitness will also play a vital role.
Rahul Bali.
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