SHILLONG: Defending champions Churchill Brothers will host Shillong Lajong FC in a 14th round I-League match in Mapusa, Goa, on Tuesday.
The Shillong club are currently in fifth place in the standings, while the Goan club are at the bottom of the 13-team table.
The two teams had contrasting fortunes in their last games, respectively, with Shillong Lajong winning 2-1 at home to Salgaocar, while Churchill lost 1-3 to Bengaluru FC on their home turf.
With such a quick turnaround between matches, Lajong’s coach Thangboi Singto admitted that it will be difficult for his boys.
“It is tough to play three matches in nine days including the long journey from home to Goa,” Singto was quoted as saying on the club’s website.
“The team is upbeat. We will be missing Uilliams (Souza Silva) who is out due to injury and Minchol (Son) is also very doubtful. (Cornell) Glen might be back for tomorrow’s game,” the coach added.
Despite their poor run of form, Singto paid tribute to the opposition, saying that they are a good team.
SLFC have lost one out of three away matches and will hope to make it three wins out of four when taking on the defending champions.
With the first phase coming to an end after their next two matches, Churchill, who are fighting for survival, cannot afford to lose further games if they are to remain in the next season.
Churchill’s coach Mariano Dias was disappointed with the way his defence played in the second half against Bengaluru FC, which led to a defeat.
“We cannot afford to give free space to the opponents to score goals. Tomorrow is a new game and we will go all out for a win keeping our defence in tact and make the best of the chances we get to score goals,” stated Dias.
In the other match of the day, sixth-placed United SC will host Dempo, who are in 11th spot. (with agency inputs)