I-League: Can Mumbai FC stop Churchill Brothers?

In the advanced I-League Round 18 match between Mumbai FC and table toppers Churchill Brothers SC tomorrow afternoon at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, Mumbai FC’s task will be to stop the Goans winning streak to give some hopes to their rivals East Bengal Club and Pune FC, who meet at the same venue only a day later besides champions Dempo SC.Churchill Brothers following their recent winning streak are sitting on top of the table with 37 points from 15 matches with especially their foreign quartet of Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin, Roberto Mendes Silva, Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot and Akram Moghrabi having been in exceptional form besides young Indian talent like Lenny Rodrigues, Bikramjit Singh and others showing that they can be counted for.

But tomorrow, the Red Machines will miss the services of right back Denzil Franco (calf strain), midfielder Tomba Singh (knee) and young striker T. Bineesh Balan (hamstring) due to injuries, while young Bikramjit Singh is suspended.

Churchill Brothers coach Mariano Dias speaking about his opponents said, “Mumbai FC is doing very well in the home ground, we must beat them to remain on the top and maintain the momentum.”

“Though we have a few injuries, we have a good bench strength and I’m sure players like Sanjay Balmuechu and Israil Gurung can help will the void,” a confident Mariano Dias added.

Mumbai FC coach Kahlid Jamil will hope that his team can pull off another upset, which they have done in recent rounds to move to 24 points from 16 matches and far away from the relegation spots.