NEW DELHI, January 3: If one goes by last year's performance, NFL champions Jagajit Cotton Textile Mills (Phagwara) should have a easy time against the bottom of the rung Mumbai team, Mahindra and Mahindra, at the Ambedkar Stadium, tomorrow.But much water has flowed since as the exodus from the Punjab team has made it look less formidable than what it was. Meanwhile, Mahindras, strengthened by the inclusion of Tata Football Academy trainees like Satish Minz and Andrew Louis and the return of former coach Deryck de Souza, would be hoping for a better time against the champions.
But the problem with Mahindras is not as much lack of talent as lack of a good striker. Poor finishing has been their bane in the two matches of the Philips league they have played so far -- a draw against Salgaocar and a solitary goal loss to Dempo (Goa).
They are also hampered by the absence of Nigerian Valentine Ezugo, who is out of the match with a knee problem, and Khaleel Jamil who is reportedly down with malaria.
On the
other hand, the Mumbai side has registered three more foreign players, two of them from Nepal who may figure in de Souza's plans against JCT tomorrow.
But the defending champions are not in any good shape, either. Nigerian mid-fielder Stephen Abrowei, who played a key part in their success in the inaugural edition last year, suffered a personal tragedy back home and is yet to join the team. But coach Sukhwinder Singh's biggest worry is striker Emeka Achilefu. He has an abdominal strain and is a doubtful starter tomorrow. But Sukhwinder hopes that the other strikers Jaspreet, Jasbir and Seriki would be able to do the job.
FC Kochin look for third win
KOCHI: An upbeat KBL-FC Kochin will be looking forward to garner three more points from their third match of the League against a well balanced Salgaocar.
The Sunday crowd at Jawaharlal Nehru International floodlit stadium can definitely expect to witness a keen tussle between the likes of the Vijayans I M and Raman -- in the Kochi outfit and Bruno
Coutinho and Nigerian Jude Odegah in the Goan side who are the Federation Cup winners.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
