Federation Cup 2014 Day Three Preview: Win or bust for Pune FC and United SC

After a two-day breather, teams from Group A and D resume their Federation Cup campaign. Sportskeeda previews the action.

Group A

United SC vs Pune FC (16:30; LIVE on Ten Action)

Having failed to win their opening games, this is already a must-win fixture for these two sides and a draw can eliminate them both if Churchill Brothers beat Eagles later on. Pune surprisingly could only draw against second division’s Eagles but their fate will very much remain in their own hands if they win this encounter. United SC have to depend on results of Churchill Brothers now but they first need to triumph themselves to stand any chance of reaching the semis. The purple shirts are in turmoil though as besides the financial problems, coach Eelco Schattorie is set to leave after the tournament and midfielder Lalkamal Bhowmick was away playing for his office team instead of preparing for this game. Mike Snoei’s side will also take heart from the fact that they defeated United SC in Kalyani earlier in the season but the game in Pune ended all square.

Key Battle: Shouvik Chakraborty – Douhou Pierre

Both Dutch coaches like their team to keep the ball so the midfield battle will be vital. With Lalkamal likely to miss out, young Shouvik will have to take extra responsibility and have a bigger influence in the game than Pune’s Douhou, who wasn’t at his best against Eagles.

Eagles FC vs Churchill Brothers (19:00; LIVE on Ten Action)

Koko Sakibo will be the key for Eagles FC

The opening day win over United SC has put Churchill Brothers in a great position as they could be through to the semis for the first time since 2010 even before facing Pune on matchday three. But besides needing a draw in the group’s other game, Churchill will also have to beat hosts Eagles and worryingly the Goan club have only won back-to-back games once since April 2013. Eagles also can’t be taken lightly as Stanley Rozario’s side looked well organised against Pune and would once again play without pressure. Rozario’s record of reaching the semis at least in every Federation Cup may well come to an end this time but the former India coach would still be determined to get another result against I-League opposition and build confidence ahead of his side’s second division campaign. A win would also help improve the self-belief of the relegation-threatened Churchill Brothers squad.

Key Battle: Koko Sakibo – Dharmaraj Ravanan

Former Dempo striker Sakibo netted the crucial equaliser against Pune on matchday one and now would be aiming to cause damage to another I-League club. But the Nigerian will have to get the better of Churchill skipper Ravanan, who had a solid outing at the heart of an all-Indian backline against Pune.

Group D

Bhowanipore vs Mohammedan Sporting (17:00)

Mohammedan Sporting need a big win

Bhowanipore gave Dempo a big scare on the opening day as they took the lead through young Dipendu Dowary and had chances to at least get a point from the game. But eventually their inexperience at this level showed as Dempo fought back to win 2-1 and perhaps that fighting display of Bhowanipore will help Mohammedan Sporting guard against complacency. Mohammedan had to toil against second division’s United Sikkim but coach Sanjoy Sen would be most disappointed to lose the clean sheet or else the Kolkata giants would have been ahead of Dempo by goal difference. Those small details could decide the group in the end so Mohammedan possibly need to win this game by a big margin but the priority for Sen and his players will be three points because anything less will leave them with a mountain to climb on matchday three against Dempo.

Key Battle: Debjit Majumder – Mohammedan Sporting’s outfield players

Much like United Sikkim goalkeeper Dibyendu Sarkar, Bhowanipore custodian Debjit will also have to be at his very best if the modest Kolkata outfit want to put up a fight against Mohammedan. Sen’s side have an embarrassment of riches in attack so they will create plenty of opportunities but Josimar and company must be clinical.

United Sikkim vs Dempo (19:30)

Dempo have an advantage playing second

United Sikkim may have lost the opener to Mohammedan Sporting but their fighting spirit surprised many, as a team that was only recently assembled were difficult to break down despite Mohammedan’s quality in the final third. Coach Ekendra Singh must be given credit for getting the very best out of his inexperienced side and the same work ethic can be expected against Dempo, who must perform better than their first game if they want to reach the semis. Arthur Papas’ side produced a strong second half performance to edge past Bhowanipore but they must play to their full potential from the very first whistle in their remaining two games. The availability of newly-signed foreigners Zohib Islam Amiri and Tolgay Ozbey will be a big boost as well. Playing second on matchday two means that Dempo will know exactly what scoreline is needed to take them above Mohammedan before the teams meet on Monday.

Key Battle: Somide Adelaja – Simon Colosimo

The unknown Nigerian was a handful for the Mohammedan defence throughout and he will be aiming for much of the same against Dempo. The Goan outfit couldn’t keep a clean sheet in the opener but desperately need one in this game so Colosimo will have to use all his experience and keep a close eye on Adelaja.