Title beckons Bagan

MARGAO, MARCH 18: Mohun Bagan, needing only three points from two matches to win the title, would be looking to garner full points when they...

MARGAO, MARCH 18: Mohun Bagan, needing only three points from two matches to win the title, would be looking to garner full points when they take on Dempo in the return leg of the Philips National Football League at the Fatorda Stadium, here, tomorrow.

With the second edition of the country8217;s premier League coming to a close, the race for title has intensified after Mohun Bagan were held to a 2-2 draw by Air-India on Monday last.

Bagan, heading the table with 30 points from 16 matches are one point ahead of their close rivals Salgaocar. Bagan would play lowly-placed Mahindras on March 22.

After playing 17 matches each Mahindras have five points, Churchill Brothers 18 and Indian Bank 20. Last year, Indian Bank had held Churchill Brothers to a draw depriving the latter of the title.

However, this year Churchill are not in the race for the title but a win is a must for them to avoid relegation.

Bagan coach T K Chattunni informed, 8220;our key players Chima Okerie, Roshan Pareira, Amit Das, Debjit Ghoshand Satyabrata Bhowmick have got one yellow card each and we do not want to take risk with them for the last match at home against Mahindras,8221; he said.

The Bagan custodian Dora, who received two yellow cards against Air-India will have to sit out with Basudev Mondal, Dipendu Biswas and Abdul Khalique whose quota of 45 matches imposed by AIFF has been exhausted.

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8220;We will go for a win, but a draw will also do as we have still a match left,8221; Chattunni said.

Dempo, placed sixth with 21 points from 16 matches are also plagued by injuries. Brazilian Anderson still nursing a leg injury will not play tomorrow while Xavier Colaco, who is not fully fit will not find a place in the first eleven. His place will be taken by medio Joao Soares.

Dempo manager, Custodio Almeida is confident that his boys will do their best and play an attacking game to score full points and find a place in the first five.