Battle of the Drop ends today
Vasco (Goa): It will be a do or die battle for Churchill Brothers when they take on Salgaocar in the last round of the I-League here on Monday.
Debutants Bengaluru FC, who are on 44 points from 23 matches, created history when they clinched the I-League title with a match in hand by taking an unbeatable lead of four points against their nearest rivals East Bengal.
However, the relegation battle is being fought between Mohammedan Sporting and Churchill Brothers.
Mohammedan, who won their final game over Mumbai FC on Sunday, are in 12th with 24 points, two ahead of Churchill Brothers, who now occupy last place.
Salgaocar, meanwhile, who are in third with 39 points from 23 matches, one point behind second place East Bengal, are looking to finish second, which will see them get a chance to play in the AFC Cup next season.
However, that chance comes with a lot of extra responsibility, matches and travel, and given the struggle Churchill and the other AFC team from India – Pune FC – have had this season, it might be an honour they would rather not have.
With Abdel Hamid Shabana being suspended for Monday’s match and defender Sanjay Balmuchu, who is nursing a quadriceps injury picked up during the AFC Cup match against New Radiant recently, Churchill have a tough task to collect full points against in form Salgaocar.
But coach Mariano Dias has full faith that his team will give their best in order to collect full points, now a must in order for the Goan giants to avoid becoming the first defending champions to be relegated from the League.
Three other games are to be held on the final day of the season.
In a rather inconsequential encounter, Sporting Clube de Goa will hosts champions Bengaluru.
Bengaluru have nothing to really gain or lose from the match, but will not want to end their triumphant season on a losing note.
Sporting are in fourth spot two points ahead of sixth-placed Dempo, who will be playing at Pune FC on the same day.
Shillong Lajong FC, who occupy fifth position, have played all of their matches and thus pose no challenge to either team.
Pune, for their part, have had a rather disappointing season after last year saw them finish as runners-up to Churchill.
The Red Lizards are currently in seventh position. A victory over Dempo will tie the two on points and goal difference will come into the equation as the reverse fixture earlier in the season had ended in a 1-1 draw.
