Mahindra aim to reclaim lost ground in derby clash against AI

Mumbai: Mahindra United would look to reclaim lost ground and end their first phase of the I-League

campaign on a positive note when they take on arch-rivals Air India in the eighth round derby clash at the Cooperage ground here tomorrow. Mahindra, who began their campaign on an impressive note winning two of their first three games, have since been involved in four consecutive draws. Mahindra, who were held 1-1 by an inexperienced Viva Kerala in their last match, are currently lying on the fourth spot with 11 points in seven matches and would be looking to sustain their title challenge by getting back to winning ways against the airmen, a result which would probably see them move into the second position. However, it would be a challenging situation for them as they would be missing three of their key players -- Serbian Svetozar Mijin (double booking), winger Steven Dias (knee injury), and seasoned campaigner Sushant Mathew (suspension). "We have few players missing. We don`t have a settled team due to too many yellow cards, but we know Mahindra and Air India have some history and we know we have to be ready for that," Mahindra United coach David Booth said. Meanwhile, languishing third from bottom, Air India (five points from six matches) have been guilty of allowing things to drift and conceded late goals in the league, which saw them drop points against Chirag United, Mumbai FC and reigning champions Churchill Brothers. Playing at home, Air India lost to East Bengal by a solitary goal in their last match. However, Booth said the airmen were unlucky to be on the wrong side of the scoreline against the Kolkata outfit. "I thought that they were unlucky to lose the match against East Bengal. They put teams under tremendous pressure. I thought they should have got some kind of result from that match," Booth added. Bureau Report