AFC Cup Preview: Churchill Brothers vs Kitchee SC

Stadium: Balewadi Sports Complex, PuneKick-off: Wednesday, April 24, 15:00 IST

Must-Win Clash

Photo Credit: Churchill Brothers Media

Churchill Brothers are I-League’s champions-elect, as the 2-0 win over Mohun Bagan on Sunday left them needing just two points from as many games to secure their second league crown. They could also be confirmed as champions if Pune FC and East Bengal fail to win their next matches. Churchill truly have one hand on the I-League trophy but have it all to do to progress to the next round of the AFC Cup. The Goan club must win their last two matches to be sure of reaching the round of 16, and thus this home match against Hong Kong First Division runners-up Kitchee SC is a must-win encounter. Technical director Subhash Bhowmick has consistently played down the importance of the AFC Cup for the Goan outfit, but the Red Machines would surely still want to qualify and continue their journey in Asia’s Europa League. This will be their last home game, and thus they would be aiming to record maximum points and keep their knockout hopes alive going into their matchday six clash away at Indonesia’s Semen Padang.

Churchill be without midfielders Bikramjit Singh and Tomba Singh due to injury and second-choice goalkeeper Felix D’Souza also misses out. But crucially, influential Brazilian playmaker Beto has also been left out of the squad despite recently returning to fitness and being on the bench against Mohun Bagan on Sunday. Bhowmick clearly doesn’t want to risk the Brazilian, but still has plenty of firepower in Sunil Chhetri, Henri Antchouet and Balal Arezou to cause problems to the Kitchee defence, who have not kept a clean sheet for eight straight matches now. Churchill were well-beaten in the reverse fixture in Hong Kong back in February but will be looking to make the most of their familiarity with afternoon kickoffs and avenge that heavy loss. Getting over the finishing line of the I-League title race remains their priority, but even Bhowmick wouldn’t want to get rid of the winning habit that his squad is currently enjoying at the business end of the season, and thus we can expect I-League’s would-be champions to give a strong performance.

Poor Form

When the draw was made, Kitchee was considered to be the favourites to win Group E and victories in their opening two games justified that claim. But the Hong Kong club were beaten twice by Indonesia’s Semen Padang and the slump in their AFC Cup form coincided with their poor form in the domestic league, as they have failed to win any of their last five league matches. Four of them have been draws and the latest one against Sun Pegasus last Friday handed the trophy to South China and ended Kitchee’s hopes of winning a hattrick of domestic league titles. But going by coach Josep Gombau’s team selection in that game, it looked like the Spaniard had given up on the title following the heavy 4-1 defeat to South China a week ago, as the influential duo of Jordi Tarres and Pablo Counago was named on the bench. Clearly, they were rested for this clash against Churchill as Gombau knows that a win could guarantee their place in the round of 16 with a game to spare if Semen Padang avoid defeat against Singapore’s Warriors FC in the other group match.

Even a point in this game would keep Kitchee’s knockout fate in their own hands going into matchday six when they host Warriors. But having defeated Churchill Brothers 3-0 already, the Hong Kong outfit would fancy doing the double over them, especially because of the Goan club’s reluctance to treat the AFC Cup importantly. The big boost for Kitchee would be the availability of England-born Pakistan international Zesh Rehman, although he may not start, as the defender only reached Pune on Tuesday morning. The former Fulham player had made the trip to India, but was initially denied entry by the New Delhi airport immigration on Monday. He however was later given permission to travel to Pune. Kitchee have enough foreign and local talent to hurt Churchill Brothers and have had an extra day’s rest to prepare for this encounter. The majority of the current Kitchee squad was also part of the team that reached the round of 16 last year and thus that experience could be priceless in this pressure clash.

Form Guide

Churchill Brothers: WWLDW

The only loss came in a disappointing performance against Warriors FC on matchday four of the AFC Cup, but otherwise Churchill Brothers have been in great form at a vital stage of the season. The Goan club also haven’t lost in Pune in four matches in all competitions.

Kitchee SC: LDLLD

The form guide reveals clearly shows how poor Kitchee have been in recent weeks and they are in fact winless in seven matches in all competitions. Their away form has been decent though as the last defeat on their travels besides the loss to Semen Padang earlier this month, came in November.

Key Men

Churchill Brothers: Sunil Chhetri

Photo Credit: Churchill Brothers Media

The Indian captain has been in red hot form in April scoring four goals in five games and he also set up both of Henri Antchouet’s goals against Mohun Bagan at the weekend. Sunil has scored in both of Churchill’s home games so far and would be aiming for a hattrick on that front by netting in this match.

Kitchee SC: Jordi Tarres

Tarres (In Blue)

The Barcelona-born 32-year-old striker is the joint-top scorer of this season’s AFC Cup so far with six in four matches. Tarres bagged a brace against Churchill Brothers on matchday one and he would be determined to maintain his personal run of scoring in every match of the 2013 AFC Cup.