Mahindras hope to come good

They did not take kindly to the last position at the inaugural league and a shake-up in management and players saw coach PM Shivdas and a host of players dumped.

Former international Dereyk de Sousa took over the reins and an influx of outstation players gave the team a whole new look.

But sadly not the results.

Although Mahindras improved on their position in the Mumbai Super Division third from sixth they struggled right through the campaign, experiencing a run of nine drawn matches.

Valentine Euzego, one of two Nigereans in the squad, has been ruled out of the opener with a jerked knee. But compatriot Onyeka Okafor, recruited as per de Sousa’s plans to strengthen the defence, will be called upon to stifle Salgaocar’s surges.

Ebullient mid-fielder Willy Joy, saving grace in the jeepmen’s disastrous campaign last season, is still unfit to play and that will cause the Mumbai side some consternation.

As will the loss of form of another diminutive star in the side — goalkeeper Gumpe Rime — gallant and gutsy in the inaugural edition of the league.

But De Sousa, Rao and Arshad Hussein (assistant coach), along with technical director Raphael Donald, bemoan the loss of a shock striker.

Rao said: “We badly need a No 10 who can score goals. We are tired of making chances and not finding the net.”

Mahindras have in Herbert Philip a forward of great promise but little deliverance. The striker, a regular on the scoresheet, has spurned far more chances than he has converted.

And young Khalid Jamil, from Air-India, has been tried as a wing-back, mid-fielder (with the India side) and now as a front-liner. Understandably, he has yet to find his feet in his new role.

The mid-field is the team’s strength. Tata Football Academy (TFA) graduates — Andrew Louis (from Bagan), Abhay Kumar and Satish Minz (from Mohammedan Sporting) — hold the key to fortunes. Latest recruit Bal Gopal Mahajan is expected to boost the intermediary line.

Goan side Salgaocar have to erase memories as well. A seventh place after struggling with injuries last season rankles but new coach Shabbir Ali of international fame might just provide soothing balm.

Taking over in the shroud of Salgaocar’s legal tangle with Chathunni, now linked to Mohun Bagan, the ex-Tatas striker hopes to ease into his new job.

For starters, Shabbir will endure injury to Nigerean striker Samuel Inawole. It would mean bigger responsibility for Bruno Coutinho — a name now synonymous with the Federation Cup winners.