Kochi, Jan 30 (IANS) Time is running out for Chirag United Kerala to turn the tide in their favour. Their latest failure came Saturday as they gifted HAL Bangalore their first win of the season. They are now up against title aspirants Mohun Bagan in the 18th round I-League football match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Tuesday.
Mohun Bagan are also on a dry run of their own, losing three of their last five matches that might have slimmed their chances of winning the league this season.
Though they returned to winning ways in the last round against Pailan Arrows, Prasanta Banerjee would call for a confidence boosting performance from his team against Chirag prior to the all-important Kolkata derby coming on the weekend.
Chirag Kerala who are on a three match losing streak, would like to turn the tide and won’t be complaining even if they could garner a single point against the star studded Bagan line up.
Mohun Bagan would be fielding Odafa Onyeka Okolie and Sunil Chhetri upfront along with Jose Ramirez Barreto. N.P. Pradeep and defender Dhanarajan R would be there in the starting lineup for Chirag United.
‘Mohun Bagan is a very tough team to beat as they have quality players, but we have a home advantage and we will be out to win the match and secure all the points available,’ said Chirag’s Sri Lankan coach Packir Ali.
Chirag have 11 points from 16 matches while their opponents have 30 points from 17 matches, seven points adrift league leaders Dempo SC.
