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Federation Cup: Group D Analysis
The ‘D’ company begins its action and Goal.com goes through its constituents...
22-Dec-2009 9:53:54 AM
Our Sphere...
They are arguably the best side in Indian football and it doesn’t take much to guess that it’s Dempo who we are talking about. They have won it all in India and even managed to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup.
For the last two seasons, their focus has been to do well on the continental stage and bagging the Federation Cup is a direct ticket to their destination. Having this in mind and with their purpose being resolute, it will take a lot from the other teams in the group to beat them. The players in this side dream of playing in the AFC Cup and they do have the quality to do well there.
With the additions of Sunil Chhetri and Anwar, the side has gone from strength to strength. However, their greatest worry has been the injuries due to which they couldn’t play their best team for most periods in the I-League.
During the break, they managed to win the Goa League and that shall further propel them to greater things. It’s Dempo’s midfield which is their strongest area where the class of Beto and Climax conjure their magic to mesmerize every team in the country.
Let’s Win...
With six draws from eight games, it looks like the team has played well, but not up to the mark. However, the truth is that they haven’t been clinical enough to finish games. They dominated some of their games, even scored first against some of the big guns, but conceded goals right at the death and brought misery upon themselves.
On other occasions, the referee played his part which left the team gutted. Pune FC does have the quality to do better and it’s time they translate what they can into action.
Having Subrata Paul at the back is certainly an asset in knockout tournaments which gives them an edge over the other sides in the tournament. With an experienced head like Venkatesh and Arata Izumi’s pace on the wings, Pune are certainly one of the dark horses in this group.
We Can...
Shillong Lajong coach Stanley Rosario is optimistic about his team’s chances as they played against all of their three opponents in the I-League and different results with a win, loss and a draw! Having a bunch of inexperience youngsters, it would be wrong to expect the team to do wonders but on their day, they are capable of producing an upset.
The fighting spirit amongst the players is something which was always associated with Air India in the past but it seems that Lajong are to take over that tag if they continue their good work.
What’s The Right Formula?
Air India have been in terrible form in the I-League after what was a bright start to their campaign. Bimal Ghosh’s teams are always defensively solid and it doesn’t often happen that they lose by a big margin.
This season, the Mumbai club have been slaughtered to such an extent that at the end of the first phase of the I-League, Air India have conceded the maximum number of goals.
With the addition of Yusuf Ibrahim, the Airmen shall hope to add the much needed attacking verve to their midfield which has been lacklustre as their back-line.
Prediction
If Real Madrid can be beaten by an unknown Alcorcon, anything can happen! Dempo are the favourites on paper but it depends on how they play on the given day. Pune FC cannot be counted out though.
Rahul Bali.
For more on Federation Cup, please visit our Federation Cup section!
They are arguably the best side in Indian football and it doesn’t take much to guess that it’s Dempo who we are talking about. They have won it all in India and even managed to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup.
For the last two seasons, their focus has been to do well on the continental stage and bagging the Federation Cup is a direct ticket to their destination. Having this in mind and with their purpose being resolute, it will take a lot from the other teams in the group to beat them. The players in this side dream of playing in the AFC Cup and they do have the quality to do well there.
With the additions of Sunil Chhetri and Anwar, the side has gone from strength to strength. However, their greatest worry has been the injuries due to which they couldn’t play their best team for most periods in the I-League.
During the break, they managed to win the Goa League and that shall further propel them to greater things. It’s Dempo’s midfield which is their strongest area where the class of Beto and Climax conjure their magic to mesmerize every team in the country.
Let’s Win...
With six draws from eight games, it looks like the team has played well, but not up to the mark. However, the truth is that they haven’t been clinical enough to finish games. They dominated some of their games, even scored first against some of the big guns, but conceded goals right at the death and brought misery upon themselves.
On other occasions, the referee played his part which left the team gutted. Pune FC does have the quality to do better and it’s time they translate what they can into action.
Having Subrata Paul at the back is certainly an asset in knockout tournaments which gives them an edge over the other sides in the tournament. With an experienced head like Venkatesh and Arata Izumi’s pace on the wings, Pune are certainly one of the dark horses in this group.
We Can...
Shillong Lajong coach Stanley Rosario is optimistic about his team’s chances as they played against all of their three opponents in the I-League and different results with a win, loss and a draw! Having a bunch of inexperience youngsters, it would be wrong to expect the team to do wonders but on their day, they are capable of producing an upset.
The fighting spirit amongst the players is something which was always associated with Air India in the past but it seems that Lajong are to take over that tag if they continue their good work.
What’s The Right Formula?
Air India have been in terrible form in the I-League after what was a bright start to their campaign. Bimal Ghosh’s teams are always defensively solid and it doesn’t often happen that they lose by a big margin.
This season, the Mumbai club have been slaughtered to such an extent that at the end of the first phase of the I-League, Air India have conceded the maximum number of goals.
With the addition of Yusuf Ibrahim, the Airmen shall hope to add the much needed attacking verve to their midfield which has been lacklustre as their back-line.
Prediction
If Real Madrid can be beaten by an unknown Alcorcon, anything can happen! Dempo are the favourites on paper but it depends on how they play on the given day. Pune FC cannot be counted out though.
Rahul Bali.
For more on Federation Cup, please visit our Federation Cup section!
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