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Federation Cup Preview: Chirag United - Mahindra United
The Group B action starts with...
21-Dec-2009 6:07:35 AM
An intriguing battle is on cards as Chirag United face-off against
Mahindra United in the opener of the Federation Cup.Both teams are amongst the
favourites to go into the next round.
They have made an excellent start in the I-League and it will be double the fun watching them lock horns in a knock-out match. The last time they played each other Chirag was at the helm of the league table. The match ended in a draw (2-2) thanks to braces from Mahindra’s Mohammad Rafi and Chirag’s Brazilian import, Josimar.
Chirag United
Chirag stand on the third position in the I-League winning four out of their eight league games, three draws and a solitary loss. It will be a sight to watch if they are able to continue with their good form they showed in I-League and especially in the Kolkata League where they had an unbeaten run.
The Kolkata club aren’t to be taken lightly as they can put any team under pressure with players like Malswamtulunga and Edmilson who can strike at their own sweet will.
Mahindra United
Mahindra stand fourth and are separated to Chirag only by one point in the I-League. They are yet to taste defeat as they haven’t lost a single match in their I-League campaign so far. The Red Devils have managed three victories and have drawn five games. The Mumbai outfit has been unbeaten since their last three games.
In their last league fixture, they thrashed Air India 4-0 at Cooperage where Muritala Ali, proving out to be unstoppable, scored a hat-trick. They will be high on confidence when they hit the turf against Chirag.
Form Guide
Chirag United
Churchill 2-0 Chirag
Chirag 2-0 Salgaocar
SC Goa 1-1 Goa
Mahindra United
Air India 0-4 Mahindra
Mahindra 1-1 Viva Kerala
JCT 0-0 Mahindra
Team News
Chirag United
Arnab Mondal is injured and that’s the sole cause of concern for Chirag United.
Mahindra United
Mohammed Rafi isn’t in the best condition ever since he returned from the national camp, where he got injured towards the end.
Players To Watch
Chirag United
It is going to take some moments of brilliance to go past Mahindra’s defence which could be provided by Brazilian striker Edmilson Marques. He has been in good form, off late and it will take some job to stop him from penetrating the defences. He already has five goals under his belt and would certainly want to have a bright start in the Federation Cup.
Mahindra United
Strikers Muritala Ali and Mohammad Rafi seem to have struck a match-winning combination for the Mahindra team. Having shared as many as 15 goals amongst themselves, their form might decide the fate of Mahindra in the contest.
Key Areas
The battle-lines have been drawn and since both sides have been in match-winning form, it is going to be a mouth-watering affair for the spectators. Subrata Bhattacharya will have to be in attacking frame of mind if he intends to go past David Booth’s formidable Mahindra side.
Husain M Zaidi
They have made an excellent start in the I-League and it will be double the fun watching them lock horns in a knock-out match. The last time they played each other Chirag was at the helm of the league table. The match ended in a draw (2-2) thanks to braces from Mahindra’s Mohammad Rafi and Chirag’s Brazilian import, Josimar.
Chirag United
Chirag stand on the third position in the I-League winning four out of their eight league games, three draws and a solitary loss. It will be a sight to watch if they are able to continue with their good form they showed in I-League and especially in the Kolkata League where they had an unbeaten run.
The Kolkata club aren’t to be taken lightly as they can put any team under pressure with players like Malswamtulunga and Edmilson who can strike at their own sweet will.
Mahindra United
Mahindra stand fourth and are separated to Chirag only by one point in the I-League. They are yet to taste defeat as they haven’t lost a single match in their I-League campaign so far. The Red Devils have managed three victories and have drawn five games. The Mumbai outfit has been unbeaten since their last three games.
In their last league fixture, they thrashed Air India 4-0 at Cooperage where Muritala Ali, proving out to be unstoppable, scored a hat-trick. They will be high on confidence when they hit the turf against Chirag.
Form Guide
Chirag United
Churchill 2-0 Chirag
Chirag 2-0 Salgaocar
SC Goa 1-1 Goa
Mahindra United
Air India 0-4 Mahindra
Mahindra 1-1 Viva Kerala
JCT 0-0 Mahindra
Team News
Chirag United
Arnab Mondal is injured and that’s the sole cause of concern for Chirag United.
Mahindra United
Mohammed Rafi isn’t in the best condition ever since he returned from the national camp, where he got injured towards the end.
Players To Watch
Chirag United
It is going to take some moments of brilliance to go past Mahindra’s defence which could be provided by Brazilian striker Edmilson Marques. He has been in good form, off late and it will take some job to stop him from penetrating the defences. He already has five goals under his belt and would certainly want to have a bright start in the Federation Cup.
Mahindra United
Strikers Muritala Ali and Mohammad Rafi seem to have struck a match-winning combination for the Mahindra team. Having shared as many as 15 goals amongst themselves, their form might decide the fate of Mahindra in the contest.
Key Areas
The battle-lines have been drawn and since both sides have been in match-winning form, it is going to be a mouth-watering affair for the spectators. Subrata Bhattacharya will have to be in attacking frame of mind if he intends to go past David Booth’s formidable Mahindra side.
Husain M Zaidi
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