CALCUTTA, January 1: East Bengal might have to change their tactics when they take on Churchill Brothers in their home match of the Philips National Football League at the Salt Lake Stadium tomorrow. Inexplicably, the local giants put on their defensive garb in their first match against JCT here last Saturday. After all, the familiar conditions of home are meant for earning full points.However, technical director P K Banerjee has a few aces up his sleeves for later use, which, he reckons will make up for the lost points in the drawn tie. The five-man defence that East Bengal used at home was quite unexpected. Tomorrow, perhaps they will display more of their attacking capabilities. With just the solitary point from two games, they need to give their fans a reason to celebrate the new year.Even Churchill Brothers would want to forget the later part of 1997 and start afresh. A very inauspicious beginning to the second National League when they allowed JCT to put in three past them without reply. That was followed by a defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan, although they continue to claim that they were cheated of at least one point when a dying-minute goal, which would have been the equaliser, was disallowed. Churchill, runners-up to JCT last year, are yet to open their account, and what can be a better start to 1998 than a victory in their away match against East Bengal.Churchill have a couple of problems in their ranks. Their first choice goalkeeper Virender Singh hasn't recovered fully after a hernia operation and Iraqi mid-fielder Yonan Basim is carrying two bookings. Chandrakant Naik, the reserve goalkeeper, is not quite the best replacement for Virender, but Churchill may not have an option there.The Goan side has been in the city since their game against Bagan last Sunday. Having had enough time to get used to the conditions here, they should be able to put up a better performance, particularly with their coach Amal Dutta so familiar with the ground.East Bengal will once again depend on their north-eastern trio of Bhaichung Bhutia, Somatai Saiza and Renedy Singh. That apart, Sammuel Omollo should continue to be the Rock of Gibraltar in their defence. Another Nigerian, Felix Ibaduni joined East Bengal yesterday. However, it was not clear whether he will play on Friday.Tomorrow's match will be followed by the Mohun Bagan-Indian Bank clash on Saturday. Bagan have three points so far from two matches. They lost to Air-India in Mumbai and defeated Churchill here on Sunday. Indian Bank too started off on a non-too-memorable note, losing 0-4 to FC Kochin on Sunday. With Chima Okerie back, Mohun Bagan appear to be back in their elements. The big Nigerian won the man of the match award against Churchill Brothers. Even impulsive striker Dipendu Biswas hit form after a lay-off due to illness. The bad news for them is that Sri Lankan Roshan Pereira has been suspended by All-India Football Federation for playing for Bangladesh's Abahani Krira Chakra without the necessary clearance. Coach T K Chatunni will continue to be absent from the bench as a court order restraining him from taking charge of Bagan is still in force.However, the Dipendu-Chima combine should be able to do the job against Indian Bank. The Chennai team in the recent times have, at best, been pretenders. After their lacklustre show against Kochin, there is no reason to consider them anything else.
