Mid-table supremacy looms as Lajong face Churchill in I-League

Panjim, March 11: Churchill Brothers FC Goa, who are currently enjoying a purple patch under coach Derrick Pereira will look to continue their winning run against Shillong Lajong in their Hero I-League football match at the Tilak Maidan here on Sunday.

The Red Machines managed to secure back to back victories against Kolkata giants and title contenders Mohun Bagan and East Bengal respectively, which also helped them climb out of the bottom place in the table.

A positive result on Sunday would help them pull away from the danger zone and be closer to the top than the bottom. 

Three wins in the last three matches have helped the former I-League champions sit comfortably in sixth place while Shillong Lajong are currently on 19 points with a game in hand.

On the form of his team and of his own impact, Churchill Brothers coach Pereira said: "Maybe I have been at the right time at the right place. Why I am saying this is that just as they were going through bad times, in life, there are bad times and good times."

"I have come during the good times and I am just here to guide them. They are working hard and their attitude and hard work is paying off finally," he added.

Playing at home, Churchill Brothers would fancy their chances and with their captain Anthony Wolfe in inspired form, they would look to capitalise on home comforts. 

One can expect goals in the game as the Goan side have scored 11 goals in their last four matches and have won three of their last four home fixtures with victories against Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan.

"The team was not doing well and so there was added pressure on me. The inclusion of coach Derrick steadied the ship. We have been more disciplined and the players have responded to him," said Wolfe, who has scored in the last three victories.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how Lajong fares in the Goan conditions but their recent away record has seen them win two and draw once in their last three outings.

"Goa has been a tough place for us always. Tomorrow is going to get tougher because of the way Churchill have been playing. Their form has been really really good. But we are also confident because we came back from Minerva where we won the match away," Lajong's coach Thangboi Singto said.

"So we hope to do better than we have been doing previously in Goa. And tomorrow, all the players who are in the playing eleven and players who are on the bench who might come in have to do their jobs as best as they can," he added.