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Federation Cup Semi Final Preview: Churchill Brothers - Shillong Lajong
A mismatch on paper, but a thriller in reality, on Wednesday evening...
29-Dec-2009 8:28:11 PM
It's David versus Goliath. Quite a cliche, but one very much applicable to the first semi final of the Federation Cup, which will be played out at the Nehru Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, 30th December, 2009. David's role will be essayed by I-League debutants Shillong Lajong, while the league champions are the closest we have to a "Goliath" in Indian football today.
Still Cruising, But A Potential Landmine Awaits...
Like it has been pointed out before, the I-League, IFA Shield, and Durand Cup champions are easing their way through the rest of the pack at the moment. Whether it is in the league, where they are top without even playing half as well as they did at the fag end of last season, or in the Federation Cup, where they have made it to the last four without even breaking sweat.
They made light work of HAL, which they ought to have, sneaked past Mumbai FC, before brushing aside local rivals Sporting Clube de Goa. What would have impressed coach Carlos Pareira is that his side is yet to concede a goal in the tournament, something only East Bengal have achieved, among the other teams.
Odafa is always expected to score, but the emergence of winger Khantang Paite has been a huge plus for the league champions as well. Only Paite and Odafa have scored at the tournament for Churchill, so there is a slight worry of an over-reliance on those two at the moment. However, it's only slight, and if we've learnt something about Odafa, it is that even on a bad day, he'll score or create goals.
And one thing we know about the team as a whole, is that they can step up their game when required. They seem to not want to waste energy and play at full pelt against the lesser sides, but when a team matches them or threatens to, they can crank it up a notch, like they did against Dempo in the league. Lajong have a tough task on their hands.
Chance To Make History...
What a year it has been for Shillong Lajong. From a team very few had heard of all over India, to qualifying for the I-League, and now, being among the top four at the Federation Cup. The players, coaching staff, as well as the officials at the club need to be congratulated for the tremendous amount of work they have done in 2009, but we all know that this is just the beginning.
And it begins with the sternest test of their abilities to date. No one expected them to reach the semi finals, with Dempo being in their group, but they did. Similarly, despite the fact that Churchill are a much stronger side on paper, Lajong have that X-Factor about them to upset the big shots. What has been most heartening about the Shillong side is how they've worked hard on their flaws.
When the league started their defending was shambolic, but now they've evolved into a much more stable side at the back. Daniel Bedemi, even though temperamental, has been phenomenal at the back, with Gumpe Rime providing cover in front of goal. James Giblee has been solid in midfield, while the two forwards, Anil Gurung and Seikhohao Tuboi, have been firing on all cylinders.
Churchill will pose many more problems for the Lajong defence than Pune, Dempo, or Air India, but Lajong's attack is potent on their day as well. Stanley Rosario will need his strikers to get it right on the day, if they want their fairytale run to last the crucial extra mile.
Form Guide
Churchill Brothers
Dec 26: Churchill Brothers 2-0 Sporting Clube de Goa
Dec 23: Mumbai FC 0-1 Churchill Brothers
Dec 21: Churchill Brothers 3-0 HAL
Shillong Lajong
Dec 27: Shillong Lajong 1-1 Pune FC
Dec 24: Shillong Lajong 2-1 Dempo
Dec 22: Air India 2-2 Shillong Lajong
Team News
Churchill Brothers
Churchill face a big problem on their hands, as goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya is a doubtful starter for this game. He has been in superb form recently, and will be missed if he doesn't play.
Shillong Lajong
No such issues for Lajong, as they have no new injury worries, and can put their best foot forward to test themselves against Churchill.
Player To Watch
Churchill Brothers - Odafa Okolie
It's a boring choice, but the best one. One can argue that no matter what, Odafa Okolie is always the man to watch when Churchill play, but that's not the case. However, in big games, when Churchill need that extra gear, Odafa always puts his hand up, so the Goans will need him desperately on Wednesday. And he is unlikely to disappoint.
Shillong Lajong - Seikhohao Tuboi
What a find this lad has been. He made people sit up and take notice in the I-League, and now he's made those people stand, if I may say so. He's been a livewire on the pitch, and if Lajong are in the semis, a lot of it is down to him and Gurung combining well up front. One thing's for sure, if Tuboi has an off day, Churchill will, in all probability, be in the final of the Federation Cup.
Key Areas
Lajong's defence will be the key here, as Churchill's midfield should dominate Lajong's. Pareria's side will create a number of chances, so Bedemi and co. will have to be alert at all times. Lajong are dangerous on the break, and will look to play on the counter, so if they can thwart Churchill's attacks, they might just score themselves.
Atishay Agarwal
Still Cruising, But A Potential Landmine Awaits...
Like it has been pointed out before, the I-League, IFA Shield, and Durand Cup champions are easing their way through the rest of the pack at the moment. Whether it is in the league, where they are top without even playing half as well as they did at the fag end of last season, or in the Federation Cup, where they have made it to the last four without even breaking sweat.
They made light work of HAL, which they ought to have, sneaked past Mumbai FC, before brushing aside local rivals Sporting Clube de Goa. What would have impressed coach Carlos Pareira is that his side is yet to concede a goal in the tournament, something only East Bengal have achieved, among the other teams.
Odafa is always expected to score, but the emergence of winger Khantang Paite has been a huge plus for the league champions as well. Only Paite and Odafa have scored at the tournament for Churchill, so there is a slight worry of an over-reliance on those two at the moment. However, it's only slight, and if we've learnt something about Odafa, it is that even on a bad day, he'll score or create goals.
And one thing we know about the team as a whole, is that they can step up their game when required. They seem to not want to waste energy and play at full pelt against the lesser sides, but when a team matches them or threatens to, they can crank it up a notch, like they did against Dempo in the league. Lajong have a tough task on their hands.
Chance To Make History...
What a year it has been for Shillong Lajong. From a team very few had heard of all over India, to qualifying for the I-League, and now, being among the top four at the Federation Cup. The players, coaching staff, as well as the officials at the club need to be congratulated for the tremendous amount of work they have done in 2009, but we all know that this is just the beginning.
And it begins with the sternest test of their abilities to date. No one expected them to reach the semi finals, with Dempo being in their group, but they did. Similarly, despite the fact that Churchill are a much stronger side on paper, Lajong have that X-Factor about them to upset the big shots. What has been most heartening about the Shillong side is how they've worked hard on their flaws.
When the league started their defending was shambolic, but now they've evolved into a much more stable side at the back. Daniel Bedemi, even though temperamental, has been phenomenal at the back, with Gumpe Rime providing cover in front of goal. James Giblee has been solid in midfield, while the two forwards, Anil Gurung and Seikhohao Tuboi, have been firing on all cylinders.
Churchill will pose many more problems for the Lajong defence than Pune, Dempo, or Air India, but Lajong's attack is potent on their day as well. Stanley Rosario will need his strikers to get it right on the day, if they want their fairytale run to last the crucial extra mile.
Form Guide
Churchill Brothers
Dec 26: Churchill Brothers 2-0 Sporting Clube de Goa
Dec 23: Mumbai FC 0-1 Churchill Brothers
Dec 21: Churchill Brothers 3-0 HAL
Shillong Lajong
Dec 27: Shillong Lajong 1-1 Pune FC
Dec 24: Shillong Lajong 2-1 Dempo
Dec 22: Air India 2-2 Shillong Lajong
Team News
Churchill Brothers
Churchill face a big problem on their hands, as goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya is a doubtful starter for this game. He has been in superb form recently, and will be missed if he doesn't play.
Shillong Lajong
No such issues for Lajong, as they have no new injury worries, and can put their best foot forward to test themselves against Churchill.
Player To Watch
Churchill Brothers - Odafa Okolie
It's a boring choice, but the best one. One can argue that no matter what, Odafa Okolie is always the man to watch when Churchill play, but that's not the case. However, in big games, when Churchill need that extra gear, Odafa always puts his hand up, so the Goans will need him desperately on Wednesday. And he is unlikely to disappoint.
Shillong Lajong - Seikhohao Tuboi
What a find this lad has been. He made people sit up and take notice in the I-League, and now he's made those people stand, if I may say so. He's been a livewire on the pitch, and if Lajong are in the semis, a lot of it is down to him and Gurung combining well up front. One thing's for sure, if Tuboi has an off day, Churchill will, in all probability, be in the final of the Federation Cup.
Key Areas
Lajong's defence will be the key here, as Churchill's midfield should dominate Lajong's. Pareria's side will create a number of chances, so Bedemi and co. will have to be alert at all times. Lajong are dangerous on the break, and will look to play on the counter, so if they can thwart Churchill's attacks, they might just score themselves.
Atishay Agarwal
Inside Goal.Com
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