Testing time for struggling Bagan

Bagan find themselves at last but one position after two rounds of matches in the six-team round-robin. The young FC Kochin said are at the bottom, having lost both matches in danger of losing their fourth successive NFL match.

Both sides are coping with sight setbacks, aggravating the pain of defeat. Mohun Bagan, a crestfallen side as they trudged back to the dressing room after thematch against Churchill Brothers, have a fair share of walking wounded. But the worst blow was dealt today. Key defender, former Kenya skipper Sammy Omollo, flew home for national duty. The Bagan camp hope he will be back in time for Monday8217;s battle royale against Calcutta rivals East Bengal. Omollo will assist Kenya against Congo in the African Nations Cup qualifier on February 28.

Coach Banerjee8217;s other major problem is an aggravated injury to star striker IM Vijayan who played the first half against Churchill before limping off. The misfortune also meant Bagan virtually losing another men 8211; Jo Paul Ancheri, who played in the mid-field as long as Vijayan was on the pitch. A tiring Ancheri was hardly effective in a switched role. Nor was Nigerian striker Chima Okerie in an eminently forgettable match for the Calcuttans.

More anxiety in a goalkeeper Hemanta Dora8217;s painful wrist and mid-fielder Sumitro Chakravarty8217;s locked ankle but there is a silver lining for Bagan in the return to fitness by starmid-fielder Amit Das.

FC Kochin have summoned Kaustav Ghosh and KK Jayan who will arrive later today. An expulsion to K Naushad in the match against Salgaocar on Wednesday, a persistent ankle injury to mid-fielder Mohd Shafeeq and a calf injury to wing-back Prabhjot Singh have warranted the reinforcements.

Manager Babu Mather hopes his team have become older and wiser from the experiences in this NFL. The defence especially, according to the former journalist, has some way to go in this big league. Goalkeeper Naseem Akhtar must find his bearings after two disastrous matches. Kochin sorely miss Ghanian first-choice keeper Ali Abubaker 8211; back home on domestic commitment 8211; and the injured star defender Ganesh.

JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh may be forgiven should be sport a smug look as his team line up against Churchill Brothers. The fighting Punjab side seem to enjoy the tag of underdogs. They8217;ve grabbed a point each from fancied Calcutta sides Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and now turn their attention toChurchill Brothers 8211; a team they8217;ve held away over. The first-phase meetings ended in a 1-1, 1-0, advantage for the Punjab millmen but Churchill, after squeezing into the Super Six, are looking revitalised.

A draw against Salgaocar, the humbling of Bagan and a large crowd expected to cheer the Goans tomorrow night appear to hold Churchill in good stead. But there8217;s a hitch in coach Danny McLennan8217;s side8217;s plans to party again tomorrow night. Key defender and one of the outstanding players in the NFL Osamani Hussein will sit out two yellow cards.

But Churchill Brother8217;s admirers depending on another Ghanian 8211; a big star in the last two matches 8211; goalkeeper Edward Ansah. The big custodians gravity defying feats broke Bagan8217;s resolve to get back into the match. As a bonus, the keeper8217;s awesome kicks even spell danger to the rival defence. Salgaocar, who conceded a goal from a distant free-kick taken by Ansah, will ruefully testify, conceded a goal.