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JCT FC
Municipal Stadium, Kannur
2nd April, 2011 – 4:30 PM IST
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The battle for survival resumes in the I-league after the IFA Shield break as Kunhikrishnan’s Viva Kerala welcome Ludhiana’s JCT at Kannur. The Neelapadda have gathered 7 points form their last five matches, in a desperate attempt to stay up this season. In their last round match against Churchill Brothers, the home side were outdone by Karpeh’s third I- league goal for the Goans. The Kerala outfit find themselves slotted at eleventh in the league, and a victory in this match, in front of the home supporters, would boost their chances to stay afloat this season against fellow strugglers JCT. Viva Kerala would hope that CS Sabeeth, who comes back after his first national team exposure in Malaysia, helps his side secure all three points in this crucial fixture. The Nigerian Bello Rasaq would be a key figure in the Viva Kerala line-up as he can cancel out opponents’ moves in Viva’s defensive third.
JCT FC has a similar fight to be fought in the remaining nine games left in the remainder of the season. The Millmen, crucially have 2 games in hand with respect to their today’s opponents and would like to make most of the opportunity to leapfrog Viva in the table. Sukhwinder Singh’s lads have only won three matches in a very disappointing season so far. The inaugural champions have not won in their last five games, losing three consecutive fixtures before the IFA shield break. The Ludhiana side would like to start afresh now and look to bring some points onboard. JCT have squandered the lead many times this season, twice in their last five matches, and Sukhi would like his men to hold on to the lead from now on. Baldeep Singh (Sr)-led defense would be looking to tighten the screws at the back for this game.
Last time these two sides met at the Guru Nanak Stadium in December, JCT got away with all three points courtesy a lone Maninder Singh strike in the second half. Viva would be having revenge on their mind in this crucial battle for survival, where both the teams will be going for the kill and will try to garner maximum points, especially Viva Kerala, who have only seven matches left in the kitty including three difficult away trips.
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TheHardTackle’s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
CS Sabeeth (Viva Kerala), Jagpreet Singh (JCT FC)
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TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Viva Kerala 1 – 2 JCT FC
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INDIAN ARROWS
Sree Kantheerva Stadium, Bangalore
3rd April, 2011 – 4:00 PM IST
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The Bangalore side takes the charge of their I-league commitments at home against Indian Arrows outfit on Sunday. Both the debutant sides met in Gurgaon earlier in the league where the young Indian contingent got the better of the Bangalore Greens. J.Murali’s side finds themselves placed at ninth in the league going into this match, having won only once in their last five games. HAL would be looking to end the season strongly as they started it courtesy to some shock away wins coupled by solid defending at the back. RC Prakash scored his second goal of the season in a draw against struggling Chirag United side in the last round. The veteran attacker would be our man to watch out for as his first goal came against the Indian Arrows in the corresponding away fixture.
Indian Arrows are currently slotted at tenth in the league as they make a long journey down to Bangalore to face off against HAL SC. Desmond Buplin’s side have a chance to leapfrog their opponents on Sunday if his side manages to acquire all three points from the fixture. Indian Arrows lads like Jeje and Raju Gaekwad have had a good exposure in AFC challenge Cup qualifiers in Malaysia. The tournament saw Jeje score 4 goals, who is undoubtedly experiencing a purple patch. He scored four goals, in 5-2 victory in the last round against Air India. He would be the one marked religiously by the HAL defense tomorrow.
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TheHardTackle’s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
RC Prakash (HAL SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Indian Arrows)
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TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
HAL SC 2 – 1 Indian Arrows
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MUMBAI FC
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MOHUN BAGAN
Sahu Maharaj Stadium, Kohlapur
3rd April 2011 – 4:00 PM IST
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Mumbai FC sit pretty at fifth in the league table, two points clear of sixth placed Mohun Bagan, their opponents at Sahu Maharaj Stadium in Kolhapur. Khalid Jamil’s side lost their round 19 match against Churchill Brothers, although Henry Ezeh finally got in to the scoring chart for the Mumbai side. Khalid Jamil would be hoping that his side echoes a performance which saw them beat East Bengal at YBK in Round 18. With all the problems surrounding the club in the past, the Mumbai side would like to finish the season in the top half of the table, where they belonged for most part of the season. The Nigerian Ebi Sukore would be our man to watch out for in this crucial tie which could see Mohun Bagan overtaking them in the league.
The Mariners would be a little disappointed coming into this match after their disheartening loss to Churchill Brothers at their home ground in Kolkata in the finals of the IFA Shield. The former champions now face a tough task of finishing well in the league after a disappointing trophy-less season, as they make a long trip to Maharashtra. Subhas Bhowmick mentored side won the corresponding fixture at YBK with goals from Ashim Biswas and Muritala. Chidi Edeh has been in good from scoring in the semi’s as well as the finals of the IFA Shield. The problem for Mohun Bagan lies at the back which has been leaking in goals. The Green-&-Maroon lads could leapfrog the Mumbai Boys if they manage to win in Maharashtra.
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TheHardTackle’s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Henry Ezeh (Mumbai FC), Chidi Edeh (Mohun Bagan AC)
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TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Mumbai FC 0 – 2 Mohun Bagan AC
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DEMPO SC
Yuvabharati Krirangan, Kolkata
3rd April 2011 – 6:15 PM IST
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Chirag United have somehow lost their way post their big winter signings. The team has slipped to seventh in the table, allowing other teams to catch up. Durand Cup holders could find themselves slip to eighth if Pune FC wins their tie and they lose to rampaging Dempo SC. Chirag United have only won once in their last five games in I League. Also in the recently concluded IFA Shield they looked insipid winning only against Techno Aryan, whereas they lost two and drew the other match. In Round 19, Chirag were held to a draw, their ninth of the season, a number second to none in the league. Chirag united would hope that their midfield combo of Lalkamal and Devadas synch up well with Md. Rafiq- Josimar- Elijah upfront. Denson Devadas would be our man to watch out for after he hit the back of net in IFA shield and showcased some mettlesome performances in Kolkata.
Dempo SC has won seven matches on the trot as they travel to Kolkata for their Round 20 fixture. The defending champions have certainly risen to the occasion and they look all the more dangerous. If Dempo manages to garner all the three points at YBK on Sunday, they could find themselves in the third place overhauling East Bengal, if the Red-&-Gold’s poor run of form continues. The corresponding fixture finished in a 1-1 draw at PJN stadium in Margaon earlier this season with Josimar saving the day for the Durand Cup champs.
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TheHardTackle’s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Denson Devadas (Chirag United SC), Beto (Dempo SC)
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TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Chirag United 1 – 2 Dempo SC
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SALGAOCAR SC
Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune
3rd April, 2011 – 7:00 PM IST
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Derrick Pereira’s side is slotted at eighth in the league after eighteen matches as the welcomes the table toppers Salgaocar at Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune. Pune FC participated in their first IFA Shield campaign where the Red Lizards won twice and lost the same number of matches. Derrick would like his side to capitalize on the momentum they have against their guests on Sunday as the Goans enjoyed the extended break. Pune FC won their Round 19 match against ONGC FC courtesy to a late Mandjou Keita strike. A victory here would take the Pune side to seventh, if Chirag United slip up in their match against Dempo SC.
Karim Bencharifa’s Salgaocar are running away with the title registering their fourth straight win in round nineteen. Goan Greens have only played seventeen matches will now and are only a point clear of the second placed Goan rivals Churchill Brothers who have played nineteen. Salgaocar SC have scored mammoth eighteen times in their last four matches, slotting three times past HAL goalkeeper in the last round. Gilbert Olivera has been sensational since he made his debut and has taken his tally to five goals within a short span of time. The young midfielder would be our man to watch out for as the Goans make a short trip to Pune. Karim Bencharifa would like his side to settle scores in the tie as Pune FC took all three points in the last match of 2010 at Margaon. Subrata Pal’s unavailability due to suspension can prove to be the difference in the end.
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TheHardTackle’s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Mondjou Keita (Pune FC), Gilbert Olivera (Salgaocar SC)
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TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Pune FC 2 – 2 Salgaocar SC
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ONGC FC
PJN Stadium, Margao, Goa
4th April 2011 – 4:00 PM IST
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Drago Mamic lifted silverware in his first month as the head coach for the club, as he saw his team script a splendid comeback at YBK against Mohun Bagan to clinch their second IFA shield in as many years. Odafa Okolie returned to the first team with a controversial goal and Charan Rai continued with his good form hitting the back of the net as well. The former champions welcome ONGC FC at PJN Stadium, Fatorda. It would be three easy points for Churchill Brothers as they look to pressurize the leaders Salgaocar. ONGC haven’t looked comfortable in I-league while Churchill Brothers have won four out of their last five ties. Boima Karpeh has looked good for the Goan Whites of-late, scoring in the IFA Shield as well.
ONGC FC, on the other hand has lost four of their last five games. Subrata Bhattacharya (Jr) and his Oilmen would like to finish the season on a high after a rather insipid season. They are prime contenders to be relegated this season, winning only two matches so far and losing twelve. ONGC were lamenting lackluster defending as Keita scored in the 90th minute for Pune FC in the last round. Badmus Babatunde would be the man to watch out for at Fatorda on Sunday for the Institutional side.
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TheHardTackle’s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Charan Rai (Churchill Brothers SC), Babatunde (ONGC FC)
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TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Churchill Brothers SC 3 – 0 ONGC FC
AIR INDIA
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EAST BENGAL
Sahu Mahraj Stadium, Kohlapur
4th April, 2011 – 4:00 PM IST
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The Airmen are slotted in the relegation zone at thirteenth in the table. The fight to remain in top flight of Indian football seems to be heating up between four clubs now. Yusuf Ansari’s side has lost three matches in their last five including a humiliating defeat to Indian Arrows in the last round at home. Okorogor Praise has been outstanding since the youngster made his debut for the club, hitting the back of the net seven times in a span of 2 months. Former Indian international Manjit Singh needs to step up and mentor his team to safety as it could go down to the last day between JCT and Viva Kerala to decide the relegation battle. It would be very difficult for the institutional side to collect any points in this match as they welcome Kolkata giants East Bengal.
The Red-&-Gold army led by Trevor Morgan seems to have lost their way after a fabulous start to the season. East Bengal were surprisingly knocked out in the group stages of the IFA shield and in the I-League the former champions have lost formidable ground. East Bengal finds themselves in third position, five points off the leaders. East Bengal won their last Round fixture against JCT FC, courtesy a brace from former JCT man Baljit Singh Sahni and a goal from Robin Singh. The Delhi hasn’t lived up to the expectations and has been guilty of missing many chances in front of the goal. In the corresponding fixture at YBK, Trevor Morgan’s lads scored half a dozen goals past Arup Debnath. East Bengal would be licking their lips looking forward to this tie, as the team would hope to hit some form.
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TheHardTackle’s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Okorogor Praise (Air India), Mehtab Hussain (East Bengal)
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TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Air India 1 – 2 East Bengal
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