GANGTOK, March 26: Yet to find a second win in their 21 matches so far, United Sikkim desperately need a victory over Air India on Wednesday at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok to stand any mathematical chances of surviving in its maiden I-League season.
“We are still fighting for I-League survival. Our season depends on tomorrow’s match. We need to win tomorrow and the players know about it. Though we lost, the players played well against Prayag United in the last match and if we play with the same commitment, we can win tomorrow”, said United Sikkim coach Nathan Hall.
United Sikkim lost by a solitary goal against IFA Shield champions Prayag United on Saturday while Air India reached Gangtok with a morale boosting 1-1 draw against East Bengal.
“Air India are a good team and it will be a difficult match tomorrow”, added Hall.
Hall is expected to field the same side which played against Prayag United on Saturday at Gangtok with Nigerian Nurudeen Salau and Spanish Pablo Aracil as strikers. United Sikkim would be again missing its star defender Sandesh Jhingan who is yet to recover from an injury.
Meanwhile, Air India coach Naushad Moosa is concerned on how fast his players recover for the match at hand having made a tiring journey from Kolkata to Gangtok.
“Three of my key players reached Gangtok only yesterday. Players are tired but confident after the match against East Bengal. United Sikkim is always a tough team at its home ground and it will be a difficult match for us”, he said.
Wednesday’s match against United Sikkim is the fourth game for Moosa as the head coach of the Pilots.
Air India and United Sikkim had played a 3-3 draw last November at Pune.
“We are still fighting for I-League survival. Our season depends on tomorrow’s match. We need to win tomorrow and the players know about it. Though we lost, the players played well against Prayag United in the last match and if we play with the same commitment, we can win tomorrow”, said United Sikkim coach Nathan Hall.
United Sikkim lost by a solitary goal against IFA Shield champions Prayag United on Saturday while Air India reached Gangtok with a morale boosting 1-1 draw against East Bengal.
“Air India are a good team and it will be a difficult match tomorrow”, added Hall.
Hall is expected to field the same side which played against Prayag United on Saturday at Gangtok with Nigerian Nurudeen Salau and Spanish Pablo Aracil as strikers. United Sikkim would be again missing its star defender Sandesh Jhingan who is yet to recover from an injury.
Meanwhile, Air India coach Naushad Moosa is concerned on how fast his players recover for the match at hand having made a tiring journey from Kolkata to Gangtok.
“Three of my key players reached Gangtok only yesterday. Players are tired but confident after the match against East Bengal. United Sikkim is always a tough team at its home ground and it will be a difficult match for us”, he said.
Wednesday’s match against United Sikkim is the fourth game for Moosa as the head coach of the Pilots.
Air India and United Sikkim had played a 3-3 draw last November at Pune.
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