Monday, Apr 15, 2002
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Football
By Our Sports Reporter
Pipped twice at the post, first by Jagjit Cotton Textiles (JCT), Phagwara in the inaugural year in 1996 and again in 1999 by Mohun Bagan, the Goan champion is set to put the record straight this time around. And the betting proportions are taking dramatic turns with not only Churchill wagered for top honours but also a Goan 1-2-3 sweep being tipped heavily. Vasco Sports Club and Salgaocar are being backed to finish behind Churchill Brothers, in that order. Churchill Brothers' coach T.K. Chathunny and his boys, enjoying a one-point advantage over two-times champion Mohun Bagan have an onerous task of satisfying what is expected to be a partisan Goan turnout. And sure, the packed stadium is not going to settle for a second-place finish again. Mohun Bagan, champion in 1997 (under T.K. Chathunny) and again in 1999 (under Subrata Bhattacharjee, the current coach) will look for a hat-trick of titles and it would be much sweeter if it came against the Goan side at their home turf. "'Churchill Brothers is not unbeatable though till date it has an unbeaten run (except against Salgaocar) at home,'' said a confident Subrata Bhattacharjee, the Mohun Bagan coach and a formidable stopper in his hey days. "But it has conceded goals. And since we have to win to clinch the title we will go all out for a win'', added the lanky former India defender. But then Subrata faces a problem in the absence of Brazilian Amouri de Silva due to `red card' suspension in the last match against Salgaocar. "We have put the defeat against Salgaocar (described among the footballing circles here as easily the finest match in the recent times in Indian football which Bagan lost 3-4 after leading 3-0 at one stage) behind us. A win against Salgaocar would have put us two points ahead and it sure would have been an advantage but at times it would be better to attack and go for a win than defend. Moreover we are going for a double having won the Federation Cup this season,'' said the coach who had handled pressure well as a player and coach. Chathunny on the other hand too has tasted success in both the roles. Having guided Bagan to the title in 1997 and then Salgaocar to the Federation Cup title the next, Chathunny is looked upon as a coach who delivers. But the genial giant, once a pillar of strength for India and Services in the defence in the late 1960's will look to his defenders to stop the marauding Jose Ramirez Barretto, the Brazilian power-house, who has managed to breach the best of defences in the league with his striking prowess. But Barretto with 16 goals will have to contend with Yusif Yakubu, Churchill's wonder-boy from Ghana, with 18 goals, also in good nick in the last few matches. The team which would be able to keep possession of the ball longer will have the advantage and that will be the turning point to the fortunes of both the teams, the absence of Noel Wilson, the best of the attacking midfielders in this season from the Churchill's ranks (with two yellow card bookings) notwithstanding. The match will kick-off at 4 p.m.
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