Churchill face tough task against Al Wahda

Feb 05, 2010

Abu Dhabi, Feb. 5: I-League champions Churchill Brothers face a tough task as they aim to become the first Indian side to qualify for the prestigious AFC Champions League when they take on UAE’s Al Wahda in a play-off match here on Saturday.

Churchill are the second Indian side after Goan rivals Dempo to feature in ACL play-off.

Last year, Dempo lost to Al Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates.

Al Wahda had earlier beaten top Syrian club Al Karamah 1-0 in the first round of the West Zone play-off. Churchill will have to play out of their skins to beat Al Wahda at home as their opponents have qualified four times for the Asian Champions League, the forerunner to the ACL, having reached the semifinals in 2007.

Coach Carlos Pereira conceded that his team have an uphill task, but said that his side would be up for the challenge.

Al Wahda are a confident lot having beaten UAE Pro-League champions Al Ahly on Wednesday. The side are by coached by former Austrian World Cupper Josef Hickersberger.

Though playing an away match, Churchill will have considerable crowd support as a large number of Indian expatriates here, including many Goans, will be cheering for them at the Al Nahyan Stadium.

Talismanic striker and captain Odafe Onyeka Okolie will play a big role in the match and Pereira expects him to be his trump card.

"I hope Odafe comes good tomorrow. The plus point is he is an unknown quantity here while everybody in India knows that he is such a dangerous striker," Pereira said.

Some players of the national team, who are reaching Dubai for a 20-day training camp in preparation for 2011 AFC Asian Cup, are also expected to cheer Churchill who have national team centre-back Gouramangi Singh in their ranks. — PTI

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