Lajong to bank on home advantage against Churchill tomorrow

Shillong: Defending champion Churchill Brothers will have to overcome chilly weather, vociferous

crowd and hostile ground conditions when they take on Lajong FC in their I-League football match here tomorrow. Placed fifth in the tally with 18 points, the Goan club which has six national players, will also have to fight the psychological pressure of defeat at the hands of same opponent in the Federation Cup semifinal in Guwahati last month. Rejecting the suggestion that tomorrow`s match would be a `revenge` for them, Churchill coach Carlos Pareira said, "It is difficult to play Lajong, which will have its maiden appearance in the I-league, at home. But each game is different and our confidence is no less." "We cannot afford them any chance. The league is still very open and we need points," Pareira told PTI. The visitor will miss the services of injured Khan Thang Paite, but their key striker Odafa Okolie is still a worrying factor for Lajong. "Odafa is always on a goal mission. He is dangerous and we have to stop him," Lajong coach Stanley Rosario observed, adding the team would adopt the same strategy which they took during their last meeting and helped them beat them 1-0. Placed 10th in the tally with nine points, Lajong had not the best of times in the previous three matches ?- playing a draw with Viva Kerela and going down poorly against Mahindra United (0-5) and Mumbai FC (1-3). Rosario, who also felt the team had a disastrous outing in the last couple of matches, however, was optimistic that the boys would use the home advantage to the full and blamed hectic schedule of the team. "We had to play seven matches in 22 days -? five in the Federation Cup and two in I-League. It affects the fitness. But the players are relaxed now and will put their best foot forward against Churchill," Rosario said. PTI