HAL hoping to turn the tide

However, HAL have the potential to bounce back with 15 more matches still to be played in the league.

HAL have lost to formidable outfits like current leaders Dempo Sports Club, Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, and Vasco. Chandrashekar is confident that he will regroup his team back to winning ways and on Friday, a win against Tollygunge will initiate that process.

The HAL attack will be spearheaded by Raja Baliev Nurlan and Ishfaq Ahmed, with the midfield comprising of Rajendra Prasad, Kenneth Onu, Dayanand and Satish supporting the upfront game.

Tollygunge lost two crucial members of their squad – coach Alok Mukherjee and ace forward Ashim Biswas.

Both have been called for national duty in preparation for the SAFF Championship at Dhaka, slated to be held from Jan 10. Alok is assisting the national coach Stephen Constantine, while Ashim is in the probables list. It will be difficult for Mantoo Ghosh who is in-charge of the team, to field the right combination. However, Ghosh sounded confident and will be going all out to garner full points.

Tollygunge had defeated Mohun Bagan and drew Churchill Brothers in their previous encounters and Ghosh is expecting another inspiring performance against HAL.