AIFF Media Team
KOLKATA: Eighth-placed Sudeva Delhi FC lock horns against ninth-placed RoundGlass Punjab FC at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal tomorrow (January 29, 2021) in the Hero I-League 2020-21. Both teams will attempt to grab three points and move up in the points table as the season enters its crunch phase. The kick-off is slated for 2 PM IST and the match will be streamed live on 1Sports Facebook page.
A goalless draw against title contenders Mohammedan SC in their last match might give RoundGlass Punjab FC some inspiration. Though the Curtis Fleming-coached team created chances, the inability to be clinical inside the box led them to grab just a point against the Black Panthers.
Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, head coach Fleming said, “Every game in the league is very very difficult but we are confident in our abilities as a team. The silver lining is we are creating chances and it is only a matter of time before we start clicking in front of goal.”
“We had a very encouraging performance against Mohammedan and we will only get better from here on. We have put in the hard work and are ready for the match tomorrow. However, it will be a difficult match as Sudeva Delhi FC have a good style of playing football.”
“We will look for a win and hope to get higher up in the table. We will have to get our balance right tomorrow,” he added.
Defender Saurabh Bhanwala said, “Playing in the Hero I-League is a challenge in itself as every team presents its own set of problems. As a defender, we have to defend as a team and be compact. We have to replicate our performance against Mohammedan and believe that our forwards can get the job done in front of goal.”
It has been a baptism of fire for the debutante Sudeva Delhi FC in the Hero I-League. With four matches played, the Delhi based club has won just one game and lost to a splendid Churchill Brothers performance in their last match. Although eighth in the table, Chencho Dorji’s team has caught the eye with their quick passing game built on Indian talent.
Speaking at the official pre-match virtual meet, Dorji said, “We deserved better from the matches we have played. The standing at the table does not reflect our ability. We could have won more matches if we just had not made crucial mistakes.”
“RoundGlass Punjab FC are a very strong side on paper and they will prove to be a difficult challenge for us. But, we will aim to play our style of football and look for the win,” he added.
Skipper Gursimrat Singh Gill said, “It is a short league and the difference between the teams is not that much. We have to be more consistent while defending and defend compactly. We cannot afford to be at the bottom of the table and we have the ability to dig ourselves out of this and climb into the top six. We will aim for nothing less than a win tomorrow.”
