Akhil Rawat
AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Fate had it. If Churchill Brothers FC Goa and Dempo SC will meet in the I-League for the first time since March 2014, it won’t just be the rebirth of the Goan derby, but also a top-of-the-table clash. Level on 10 points, only goal difference separates the Red Machines from the Golden Eagles in first and second, respectively, and Wednesday’s match at Churchill’s new home, the Raia Ground, at 15:30 IST will be a chance to throw their hats in the title race before the I-League takes a winter break.

On December 18, the eve of the Goa Liberation Day, there can’t be a better way to celebrate Goan football than a game between two of the most successful clubs in the state.

“We are going to face a very good team tomorrow,” said Churchill Brothers head coach Dimitris Dimitriou. “It is a game against the rivals, against a team that’s level with us on 10 points. Both teams come from this marvellous place Goa and it will be a great derby. I’m sure that our players are going to perform at their maximum. We’ll be competitive in this derby.

“There is no reason to have pressure about tomorrow’s game. We have to enjoy our football. We have to feel good as coaches or players with our preparation. Game by game, the team is getting better. Churchill Brothers needed to bring back the winning mentality. We are fighting for this. In my opinion, the team is now on this pathway.” said the Cypriot.

It will also be a clash between the best attack in the league, Churchill Brothers, who have netted 10 goals, and the best defence, Dempo, who have only let in three goals and kept four clean sheets in five games.

For Dempo head coach Samir Naik, 10 points is a highly fruitful return for a newly-promoted side at this stage of the season. “I am very happy with the 10 points we have collected in five games, all of them away from home. The players have gelled well now. It’s the first game for Dempo Sports Club after a very long time in Goa in the I-League. So, we and all our supporters are excited. In fact, it’s great to have two teams from Goa playing in the I-League this season,” he said.

Later on Wednesday at 19:00, Aizawl FC will host Real Kashmir FC in a game between two sides looking to bounce back from defeats. The Reds suffered a shock 1-2 loss to Rajasthan United after conceding two late penalties, while Real Kashmir got a bitter taste of playing outside their comfort zone when they went down 0-1 to ten-man Namdhari for their first loss of the season. On a slump and without a win in their last three games, Aizawl have slipped to 10th spot and will be desperate for three points. Real Kashmir will feel they would be higher than fourth place if not for their goalscoring woes.

On Thursday at 14:00, Delhi FC will play their first home game of the season at the Mahilpur Football Stadium against Shillong Lajong FC, who will be on the road for the first time. Lajong are another side struggling for goals, which feels ironic to say since they demolished Rajasthan United 8-0 earlier this month. But that’s the only match out of the last four that they have scored in. José Hevia will at least be content that his side have kept three clean sheets in a row. Delhi are also eager for points as they sit in 11th spot. After ruing letting a two-goal lead and two points slip in Bengaluru last week, they will hope to start afresh at their new home.

Gokulam Kerala FC are also back on home soil as they host Rajasthan United FC at 19:00 in Kozhikode. Without a win in their last four games and without a goal in the last two, the Malabarians are languishing in seventh spot. But they may fancy their chances at home against a Rajasthan United side with the worst defensive record in the league. The Desert Warriors, however, are on a high after a creditable 2-1 win in Aizawl thanks to two penalties by skipper Alain Oyarzun.

On Friday at 15:30, Namdhari FC will play their first away match of the season against SC Bengaluru. On a two-game winning run, the Punjab side have been a one-man team so far, with Cledson Carvalho da Silva scoring four of their five goals. However, they will badly miss the Brazilian who saw red against Real Kashmir and will need to find another source of goals. Newly-promoted SC Bengaluru are gradually starting to find their rhythm in the I-League. After three losses in a row, they beat Dempo for their first win before a spirited comeback saw them take a point from Delhi FC last Friday. But the Golden Tigers still lie at the bottom of the standings and need to dish out more consistent performances.

At 19:00, Inter Kashi will take on Sreenidi Deccan FC in the last I-League match of the calendar year. After a bright start to the campaign, the hosts are without a win in three and suffered their first loss of the season to Churchill Brothers last Saturday. Something’s not ticking together in attack for Antonio López Habas’ side, and to make matters worse, their defence also looked vulnerable against the Red Machines. Sreenidi Deccan are also enduring a peculiar start to the league. Having never failed to score in any home game in the last two seasons, the Deccan Warriors drew a blank in the previous two matches, losing 0-1 to both Delhi and Dempo. Maybe a first trip of the season might bring Sreenidi some luck. Good thing is that Inter Kashi and Sreenidi Deccan are still only two and four points off the top, respectively, and a few good results can put them back on track.