FC Kochin face a daunting task

KOCHI, February 11: Kerala’s FC Kochin will have an uphill task in containing arch rival Mohun Bagan (Calcutta) when the two teams meet in a Philips National Football League match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here tomorrow.

The Calcuttans lead the league table with 20 points from 9 matches (6 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss), while Air-India, the only unbeaten team in the League, also have 20 points from 10 matches (5 wins, 5 draws). FC Kochin are in the third slot with 17 points from 10 matches. Bagan’s morale is on the high having beaten Kochin at Kochi and with the return of star striker, Sri Lankan Roshan Pereira. Besides, Nigerian Chima Okerie and upcoming Dipendu Biswas who have been among goals, should pose stiff challenge to rival defence.

Kochin, whose defence will be manned by Anson, Firoz and Saheed Akinsanya, will definitely feel the absence of defender Mohammed Shafeeq and goalkeeper Ali Abubaker, who is serving a suspension.