Churchill keen to extend winning run

Margao: Churchill Brothers who pipped Dempo to the top spot, would look to extend their winning run as they take on Pune FC tomorrow in the 11th round of I-League, at the Nehru Stadium.

Churchill Brothers who hammered Shillong Lajong 6-0 to stay at the top of the table with 23 points, are two points ahead of Dempo who lost against Air India, their third successive defeat. Henry Arnaud Antchouet, who is in scorching form with a hat-trick against Shillong Lajong has combined well with N D Opara upfront and coach Manuel Gomeswho will be fielding the same side that won against Lajong. "My boys are really playing good football and still have the potential to do better. Pune FC are a good side who have good foreigners and are playing well. We have to be on guard and not allow complacency creep our minds," stated Gomes. Pune FC who put up a good show against Salgaocar to garner full points were disappointed for not collecting full points against Mumbai FC as they were held to a goalless draw after creating lot of scoring chances with Jeje Lalpekhlua and Mandjou keita failing to score which denied them to stay within the top five. They are now at the seventh place with 15 points from ten matches. Pune FC will be without defender Anas Edathodika with double booking and coach Derick Pereira will field young Rolling Son Hungyo in his absence. "It’s a tough match against a side who is playing well at the moment and we need to remain focus and need to play with determination to win tomorrow and for this our strikers should not miss chances and convert the half chances that come their way," stated Pereira. "My boys played well in the last three matches but unfortunately we could not collect full points against Mumbai FC inspite of dominating the match and creating lot of chances. We have no special strategy for tomorrow`s match, all we will do is to start cautiously before we launch an all out attack against our opponent, keeping our forte in tact," stated Pereira. PTI