Bhutia inspired United Sikkim keen to make a mark
- 8:25 AM
- By Football Fans Manipur
- 0 Comments
PUNE, Nov 26: Bhaichung Bhutia was on field for just about 10 minutes on Saturday, but his presence on the bench was enough for United Sikkim FC to play their hearts out against Pune FC.
The Sikkimese team is set to play its second match at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium in a space of three days and should stand as favourite against Air India in the Round VIII match of the I-League football championship, on Tuesday.
In a contest between two bottom-ranked sides, United Sikkim looks to have an edge given the way they played against Pune FC. After James Moga’s 14-second goal had given Pune FC bang-on lead, United Sikkim erased that deficit and then led for most part of the first half before Moga’s second half strike have the home team the much-needed respite.
Given the way Air India has performed so far, Tuesday’s match is a perfect chance for the North-Easterners to score their first away win. There will be no dearth of fans when Bhutia is on show—it was very much evident when Pune FC saw fans of Bhutia outnumber home fans at the Balewadi Stadium.
In the last five encounters, Air India has lost four and won one—the victory coming against ONGC, in an away match. That is the lone victory for Air India since the season began in October. It will be a huge pressure match for Godfrey Pereira given that his team is yet to score a home win.
No doubt Air India has played its both home matches against Kolkata heavyweight teams, Mohun Bagan (1-0) and East Bengal (3-0), but the team management isn’t too pleased with the way season has begun.
Both strikers Henry Ezeh and Elija Junior have been below par while the midfield has been shaky but for a few runs of brilliance from Pune-boy Prakash Thorat, Ong Teshering Lepcha and P Mohanraj. Playing against Mohan Bagan on October 28, Air India would have held Bagan to a draw, but for that own goal from Micky Fernandes.
Air India defence is solid at times—Lamine Tamba, Ramandeep Singh and Gagandeep Singh have been good, but only just.
On the other side, United Sikkim, which too hasn’t won a match since their season-opening win at home against Salgaocar SC, will be the side to watch out for—even though they are yet to recover from that 1-10 thrashing from Prayag United SC.
When midfielder DG Attivi scored the equaliser against Pune FC and in the very next minute Safar Sardar put the team ahead, it was a memorable moment for United Sikkim. Bhutia knows that he cannot run for even one half, but he is people’s player. He has fans across the country not without any reasons, so when he took the field with just 10 minutes remaining, the fans went delirious.
Probably he would like to give his fans a better show on the morrow. But his plans remains at is heart.
The Sikkimese team is set to play its second match at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium in a space of three days and should stand as favourite against Air India in the Round VIII match of the I-League football championship, on Tuesday.
In a contest between two bottom-ranked sides, United Sikkim looks to have an edge given the way they played against Pune FC. After James Moga’s 14-second goal had given Pune FC bang-on lead, United Sikkim erased that deficit and then led for most part of the first half before Moga’s second half strike have the home team the much-needed respite.
Given the way Air India has performed so far, Tuesday’s match is a perfect chance for the North-Easterners to score their first away win. There will be no dearth of fans when Bhutia is on show—it was very much evident when Pune FC saw fans of Bhutia outnumber home fans at the Balewadi Stadium.
In the last five encounters, Air India has lost four and won one—the victory coming against ONGC, in an away match. That is the lone victory for Air India since the season began in October. It will be a huge pressure match for Godfrey Pereira given that his team is yet to score a home win.
No doubt Air India has played its both home matches against Kolkata heavyweight teams, Mohun Bagan (1-0) and East Bengal (3-0), but the team management isn’t too pleased with the way season has begun.
Both strikers Henry Ezeh and Elija Junior have been below par while the midfield has been shaky but for a few runs of brilliance from Pune-boy Prakash Thorat, Ong Teshering Lepcha and P Mohanraj. Playing against Mohan Bagan on October 28, Air India would have held Bagan to a draw, but for that own goal from Micky Fernandes.
Air India defence is solid at times—Lamine Tamba, Ramandeep Singh and Gagandeep Singh have been good, but only just.
On the other side, United Sikkim, which too hasn’t won a match since their season-opening win at home against Salgaocar SC, will be the side to watch out for—even though they are yet to recover from that 1-10 thrashing from Prayag United SC.
When midfielder DG Attivi scored the equaliser against Pune FC and in the very next minute Safar Sardar put the team ahead, it was a memorable moment for United Sikkim. Bhutia knows that he cannot run for even one half, but he is people’s player. He has fans across the country not without any reasons, so when he took the field with just 10 minutes remaining, the fans went delirious.
Probably he would like to give his fans a better show on the morrow. But his plans remains at is heart.
0 comments