Churchill call for focus ahead of Bengaluru clash

Panaji: If you look at the points table, this should be a mismatch.

Two-time champions Churchill Brothers, second on the table, chasing promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL), up against debutants Sporting Club Bengaluru, fighting to simply stay alive in the second-tier of Indian football. But when the two teams face off at the Panchayat ground in Raia on Monday, it will be a battle of equals.

“Football-wise, after analysing this team, I can tell you the are a very good team,” Churchill coach Dimitris Dimitriou told TOI during the pre-match media interaction. “They have very good players and it’s going to be a hard game. I’ve asked our players to stay focused, concentrated and be competitive. Although Bengaluru are at the bottom, they are a good team and our boys know this.”

Bengaluru coach Chinta Chandrashekar Rao will agree with that assessment.

The visitors are at the bottom of the pool with eight points at the end of the first phase. They have lost four of their last five matches but wins against Dempo SC and Sreenidi Deccan suggest the debutants can be as good as anyone else.

“We are good competitors,” said Chinta. “We have not given up easily. I think we have kept everyone in a tight situation. We have dominated games too but lost due to our own mistakes. It’s not that we are just defending (during games), we are going for a win 100 %. Even against Churchill we will be chasing a win.”

Bengaluru’s problems have been in front of goal where they have scored just nine. Only Dempo have scored less. That concern may have a solution with the arrival of 'Alex' Sanchez Lopez, who previously finished as the top scorer of the I-League with 19 goals from 22 appearances and then made a move to Malappuram FC in Super League Kerala.

“Yes, 100 %,” said Chinta.

Despite Bengaluru’s confidence, Churchill should start as favourites. They are playing at home, have the better team, momentum and a big I-League target to chase. Dimitris, though, warns against complacency.

“There is no chance of underestimating anyone, because at the end of the day, we didn't do anything. We have not become Real (Madrid) or Barcelona. I’ve always maintained that any team can beat the other (in the I-League),” said the Churchill coach.

Midfielder Lalliansanga Renthlei echoed dressing room sentiments when he said everyone believes they can go all the way. “But for now, we have to take it one match at a time,” he said.