Air India take on Chirag United in the fourth round of the I-League at the Cooperage Stadium later today.
Air India
Air India’s results this season have been surprising considering the large chunk of players they lost in the summer. Most of their players lack experience yet their performance has been top class.
A notable aspect of the players coach Bimal Ghosh chooses, automatically seem to fit into the team and this season has been no different. The likes of Soccor Velho, Kailash Patil and others have emerged and made their presence felt in country’s top division.
Air India have been flying high and find themselves in the fourth spot with five points. At Cooperage, Air India are even stronger given the unpredictable bounce of the field as the team plays the ball over the top.
One of the most tactically sound coaches in India, without any coaching licence, Bimal Ghosh can outthink his opponents and change his strategies and get his results in no time.
Their five man defence often frustrates the opposition but their quick counters from the flanks are always a worry.
Chirag United
The Kolkata side have shown resilience and made a point that they won’t be mere roll overs. They held high flying Churchill Brothers in their last outing and did well against East Bengal in the second half. Last time at Cooperage, they shocked Mahindra United 3-1 which gave them tremendous confidence. Coach Subrata Bhattacharya would hope for a repeat performance against Air India at the same venue.
The newly promoted side are a bunch of youngsters and the ‘big club rejects’ who have gelled exceptionally well so far. Whether they can continue their good run remains to be seen.
Form Guide
Air India
12th October ’08 Air India 2-0 East Bengal (I-League)
3rd October ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-1 Air India (I-League)
27th September ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-2 Mumbai FC (I-League)
Chirag United
12th October ’08 Chirag United 0-0 Churchill Brothers SC (I-League)
4th October ’08 Mahindra United 1-3 Chirag United (I-League)
26th September ’08 East Bengal 3-1 Chirag United (I-League)
Team News
Air India are without Narendra Meetei who injured himself in the training session. Chirag United are still without Shashty Duley.
Key Areas
Playing against Air India at Cooperage won’t be easy but the defensive style of both teams might cancel each other. The teams shall rely on counterattacks and it would be interesting to see which crumbles under pressure. Chirag United would be pleased with a draw and so, it has to be Air India who have to take the initiative to attack.
Key Players
Michael Tayo has been impressive in each of the games for Air India. Chirag United would have to stop him from dominating the midfield. It’s here that the services of Hardeep Saini would come handy to Chirag United coach Subrata Bhattacharya.
Source:Goal.com
Air India
Air India’s results this season have been surprising considering the large chunk of players they lost in the summer. Most of their players lack experience yet their performance has been top class.
A notable aspect of the players coach Bimal Ghosh chooses, automatically seem to fit into the team and this season has been no different. The likes of Soccor Velho, Kailash Patil and others have emerged and made their presence felt in country’s top division.
Air India have been flying high and find themselves in the fourth spot with five points. At Cooperage, Air India are even stronger given the unpredictable bounce of the field as the team plays the ball over the top.
One of the most tactically sound coaches in India, without any coaching licence, Bimal Ghosh can outthink his opponents and change his strategies and get his results in no time.
Their five man defence often frustrates the opposition but their quick counters from the flanks are always a worry.
Chirag United
The Kolkata side have shown resilience and made a point that they won’t be mere roll overs. They held high flying Churchill Brothers in their last outing and did well against East Bengal in the second half. Last time at Cooperage, they shocked Mahindra United 3-1 which gave them tremendous confidence. Coach Subrata Bhattacharya would hope for a repeat performance against Air India at the same venue.
The newly promoted side are a bunch of youngsters and the ‘big club rejects’ who have gelled exceptionally well so far. Whether they can continue their good run remains to be seen.
Form Guide
Air India
12th October ’08 Air India 2-0 East Bengal (I-League)
3rd October ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-1 Air India (I-League)
27th September ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-2 Mumbai FC (I-League)
Chirag United
12th October ’08 Chirag United 0-0 Churchill Brothers SC (I-League)
4th October ’08 Mahindra United 1-3 Chirag United (I-League)
26th September ’08 East Bengal 3-1 Chirag United (I-League)
Team News
Air India are without Narendra Meetei who injured himself in the training session. Chirag United are still without Shashty Duley.
Key Areas
Playing against Air India at Cooperage won’t be easy but the defensive style of both teams might cancel each other. The teams shall rely on counterattacks and it would be interesting to see which crumbles under pressure. Chirag United would be pleased with a draw and so, it has to be Air India who have to take the initiative to attack.
Key Players
Michael Tayo has been impressive in each of the games for Air India. Chirag United would have to stop him from dominating the midfield. It’s here that the services of Hardeep Saini would come handy to Chirag United coach Subrata Bhattacharya.
Source:Goal.com
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