Churchill favourites against Minerva in I-League tie (Preview)

Vasco da Gama (Goa), Jan 4 (IANS) Churchill Brothers FC will take on defending champions Minerva Punjab FC in an I-League clash at the Tilak Maidan here on Saturday.Churchill are clear favourites on the back of their impressive attacking display till the halfway stage of the tournament.When the two teams met in the initial stages of the league two months ago, they played out a drab goalless draw and it was evident that a new team management was trying to find its footings.Much water has flown under the bridge since then, with the Goans clearly establishing themselves as the most enterprising and mercurial side of the league after leaders Chennai with an attacking force in great form.While Churchill have scored 17 and conceded 10 in their 10 games so far, Minerva have scored just six and conceded as many from the same number of games (10).Willis Plaza for Churchill has been in imperious form this year, scoring nine goals so far, to lead the league's scorer's charts. But it is the support play of Dawda Cessay, Israel Gurung, Anthony Wolfe and the likes that have clearly helped them improve so much over last year.It remains to be seen how things work out for Minerva, but unless they find goals, it is going to be difficult for them to get out of their mid-table position soon. Churchill, on the other hand, are looking good to go all the way.
--IANS ajb/vm