MUMBAI, January 25: An absorbing contest is in store when the star-studded KBL FC Kochin and local giants Air-India lock horns in their Philips National Football League match at the Cooperage here tomorrow.Kochin will be looking to avenge the 2-3 defeat they suffered at the hands of Air-India in the Durand Cup in the only encounter between the two teams.
The contest would also be a clash of two different ideas. The Kochi outfit is trained by Scottish technical director George Blues and an ex-EME player A M Sreedharan while A-I is coached by seasoned Bimal Ghosh. The pressure is certainly mounting on Kochin with two back to back defeats in their last two matches in the league. Significantly, the defeat against Dempo is unforgettable and a record of sorts in the short history of the league. At one point of time during the match, Kochin were leading 2-0 but went on to lose 3-5.
"Every team has been putting in an extra 20 per cent while playing us," remarked Blues, while dwelling on the losses.
The Kochipowerhouse comprises I M Vijayan -- one of the best strikers in the country -- Raman Vijayan, India captain Carlton Chapman and the versatile Jo Paul Ancheri.
They would, however, be missing the services of Ghanian Mohammad Salisu, who had a two match suspension during the match against Dempo. "Ancheri is also be a doubtful starter as he has not regained his confidence after the accidental clash with team-mate custodian Ali Abubaker," informed Babu Mather, secretary of the club. The young Ghanian, Abubakar, will be donning gloves after a suspension against Mohun Bagan.
The attack will be spearheaded by the Vijayans, IM and Raman, who can punch holes in the best defences, with Ghanian Abdul Kareem, Chapman and Ancheri providing a steady quota of ammunition from the mid-field.
But their achilles heel has been their own defence. Nigerian Shaheed Akinsanya, A S Feroz, Mohammed Shafiq and K Anson have not been able to compliment the abilities of their mates upfront. It was evident during their losses to
Dempo and Bagan.
Air-India, enjoying an unbeaten run in the league, is reciting a simple tune of team work which has brought them handsome interests. Despite the loss of two international stars Godfrey Periera and Jeevan Moras in the last game against JCT, they sent the reigning champions packing with a solitary goal victory.
"We play like a unit and we have the psychological advantage of having won in the Durand Cup. They certainly have good strikers but that will not change our plans. We will be playing for a win," opined Ghosh, the coach-cum-manager of Air-India, on the eve of the match.
The only disturbing factor for the airmen are the groin injuries to Periera and medio Taposh Ghosh, putting them under the doubtful starters' list. But the strong and appreciating point for the hosts has been their strong marking, be it zonal or man-to-man.
The defence's -- comprising Ajay Acharya, Moras, Subir Sinha and George Fernandes -- effectiveness can be judged by the team's success. Medio N Khentang Paite
and Khambiton Singh are tough tacklers with the latter possessing the knack of surprising the rival custodian with his powerful long-rangers. The strike-force of Anthony Fernandes, PJ Jose, Abbas Ali Rizvi and Nitin Shetty, too has been quite effective. All through the outfit has combined well for their unbeaten run, the real test would come tomorrow when they take on a determined Kochi side.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
