Churchill Brothers SC take on Dempo SC in a second round I-League midweek clash, which had been postponed due to the latter’s AFC Cup participation.
Unbeaten and Not Beaten For Long Time
It sounds confusing but it isn’t. Churchill Brothers are the only side which have an unbeaten record in the league this season. With three wins and two draws, their campaign has been decent considering the slump of the big teams.
But they haven’t beaten Dempo in the top division since 8th February ’03 when Yusif Yakubu was in their ranks. Either they have lost or Dempo have won the derbies.
While everyone in the Churchill camp is excited to beat that record, a win tomorrow would surely propel their confidence. Churchill Brothers have the toughest week thanks to Dempo’s AFC Cup participation. They are playing three top clubs within a week – JCT (2nd Nov), Dempo (5th Nov) and Mohun Bagan (9th November). Dempo, too, play three games but one of their games is against a newly promoted side.
The last match saw Coach Zoran Djordjevic being unhappy with his midfielders as they couldn’t dominate JCT and against Dempo, it won’t be easy for sure. Odafa has scored the large chunk of goals and which makes them very predictable.
Unfinished Business
Churchill lost the title on the last day of the season on goal difference despite being level on points Dempo, who were the eventual winners. Churchill would want to redeem themselves by winning against Dempo.
Dempo’s Tempo Missing
Mohun Bagan striker and former Dempo player Ishfaq Ahmed noticed a change in Dempo’s style when he mentioned. “Dempo just send the balls to their new striker (Mboyo Iyomi). That wasn’t Dempo’s style.”
It’s difficult to agree on this as people do make comments when the team doesn’t do well. What’s important is that the defending champions are still creating a number of opportunities in the game. That was also evident in the game against JCT and Mohun Bagan which they disappointingly lost despite dominating.
Such results either spur a team to even better their performances or it results in a slump due to lack of confidence. It’s too early to say this in Dempo’s case but certainly, six points from four games isn’t vintage Dempo.
Dempo’s defense would have to be on guard against an on-fire Odafa Okolie who is on a high with eight goals in the league from five games. Dempo need goals and they need to find it from somewhere. When playing a team like Churchill Brothers, even a 2-0 lead doesn’t seem good enough. They would need to dominate the ball possession which would leave Churchill frustrated.
Form Guide
Churchill Brothers SC
2nd November ’08 Churchill Brothers SC 1-1 JCT (I-League)
25th October ’08 Vasco SC 1-4 Churchill Brothers SC (I-League)
19th October ’08 Churchill Brothers SC 3-0 Sporting Clube De Goa (I-League)
Dempo SC
31st October ’08 Dempo 0-1 Mohun Bagan (I-League)
26th October ’08 Dempo SC 3-1 Air India (I-League)
21st October ’08 Dempo SC 1-4 Safa (AFC Cup)
Team News
Reisangmi Vashum is expected to start for Churchill Brothers SC while Beto is fit and would take his place in the middle of the park for Dempo SC.
Key Areas
The team which has the more possession would dominate. With Beto back, Dempo look a different side to the one which lost to Mohun Bagan at the weekend. Churchill would have to show the composure and maturity which is often lacking in them as a team and individually as well.
Key Players
Beto: The Brazilian adds that zing to the Dempo midfield and gets things going for them. Odafa Okolie: You have to count on him to score especially in the kind of form he is in.
Rahul Bali.
Courtesy: Goal.com
