Do-or-die situation for Churchill Brothers against Salgaocar

Vasco: It will be a do or die battle for Churchill Brothers when they take on Salgaocar in the last round of the Airtel I-League to be played at Tilak Stadium here on Monday.

Debutant Bengaluru FC, who are on 44 points from 23 matches, created history when they clinched the I-League title on debut with a match in hand by taking an unbeatable lead of four points against their nearest rivals East Bengal. However, the relegation battle is being fought between Mohammedan Sporting and Churchill Brothers. Mohammedan, who play their last match against Mumbai FC, are at the bottom with 21 points, one point behind the Churchill Brothers. A defeat against Mumbai FC will see them get relegated, while a draw and a loss to Churchill Brothers against Salgaocar will see both the teams end up on 22 points and there will be relegation playoff between both the teams to decide which team gets relegated. While Salgaocar, who are placed third with 39 points from 23 matches, one point behind second place East Bengal?are looking to finish second which will see them get a chance to play in the AFC Cup for next season. With Abdel Hamid Shabana being suspended in tomorrow`s match and defender Sanjay Balmuchu who is nursing a quadriceps injury picked up during AFC Cup match against New Radiant, Churchill Brothers have a tough task to collect full points against in form Salgaocar. But coach Mariano Dias has full faith in this team that they will give their best in order to collect full points which is must to avoid relegation.