Herculean task for Kochin

Herculean task for Kochin
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Kochi, March 30: Formidable FC Kochin will have a herculean task against Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa when the two teams cross swords in a match in the fifth National Football League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium here on Saturday. Former champion Salgaocar, currently in the fifth slot with 23 points from 15 matches they had figured in so far in the 12-team league, had lost to Kochin team in their home match (2-3) in December last at Goa.

The local outfit, who had lost their last three encounters consecutively are struck at 29 points in 16 matches and are in the third spot behind East Bengal (35 points) and holders Mohun Bagan (31 points) from as many matches. Both Salgaocar and Kochin would miss the services of some of their top players, who are in the Indian camp at Bangalore. However, Salgaocar holds an upper hand with their showing in the last couple of matches.

On the other hand, the performance of the Kochin team has been pathetic in the last couple of matches. Kochin will be playing without their star International I M Vijayan and Joe Paul Ancheri, who are in the Indian Camp. Defender Patrick Nuku, was unlikely to play due to thigh injury and medio Rashidi William, due to his earning two yellow cards.

Salgaocar too have their problems. Veteran Bruno Coutinho and goalkeeper Ali Aboobacker are in the list of the injured, while Robert Fernandes, Jules Alberto and Alvito D’ Cunha, are in the Indian camp.

ITI, SBT set for showdown
Thiruvananthapuram: Hosts State Bank of Travancore (SBT) and Indian Telephone Industries (ITI), Bangalore clash here on Saturday in a crucial encounter which could leave them on the edge of the fifth National Football League, adds SS Manoj.

The bankmen go into Round 17 with only 12 points and poor form. The home team knows very well that only a win will do away the relegation threat and also hope that other teams in the lower half of the points table suffer reverses.