Injury worry for Salgaocar

With Dutta at the helm, Churchill Brothers refused to play after protesting against the choice of ball. Pending a final decision on the matter, the Goa champions conceded three points to East Bengal. Dutta did a disappearing act after the fracas. Churchill Brothers, it was revealed by Colaco today, have sent the absconding coach a telegram asking him to report to the club immediately. Churchill are awaiting a response from Dutta before embarking on legal action, Colaco informed.

Churchill are also preparing a reply to the AIFF’s inquiry on the club’s refusal to play East Bengal, Colaco said.

Churchill Brothers may take solace in their freedom from injury and a potentially good squad on paper but Colaco grimaced on the psychological challenge ahead. The moods in rival camps is starkly contrast.Salgaocar have humbled formidable FC Kochin and Dempo in their last two matches and are all fired up. Churchill are clutching at straws with a win-less record in their effort to go one better than the runners-up at the last NFL. The big-spending Goans, with one point from four matches, may just have lost too much ground.

But Churchill may take some encouragement from their record against Salgaocar in recent times as a 2-2 draw in the local league and a 1-0, 0-0 record at the last NFL suggests.

With Marcus Carvalho and Nigerian Chibuzor likely to be joined by Iraqi Yonan Basim in the strike-force, the chances of goals are always brighter. Churchill, however, will miss Kasif Jamal, who will sit out tomorrow’s match after having collected two yellows.

There is also the likelyhood of defender Danzie Ferrao making an appearance to join Nigerian Emeka, Sanny D’Costa and star wing-back Ratan Singh while another Nigerian Oscar Hunda, skipper Tejinder Singh and Aqueel Ansari will handle the mid-field.

Popular opinion rate Salgaocar overwhelming favourites to beat Churchill, but the conquerors of Kochin are keeping their fingers crossed on the fitness of key mid-fielder, international Bruno Coutinho and Jules Alberto.Coutinho pulled a hamstring in Salgaocar’s 2-1 win over Dempo on Thursday while goal-scorer in that victory, Alberto, sustained a recurring ankle injury.

Both players are doubtful starters for tomorrow’s encounter expected to draw a large Sunday crowd.

Case withdrawn

The Goan outfit Salgaocar have withdrawn a case of contract violation against former coach T K Chathunni, team manager Leopold Fernandes informed today.

The reprieve followed an unconditional apology by Chathunni who had abandoned the club to join Calcutta’s Mohun Bagan, mid-way through his contract.

The Goa Civil Court, Vasco today withdrew Salgaocar’s case against Chathunni, accepting his apology and admonishing him for what was proven to be a clear case of contract violation.

Chathunni accompanied Bagan to the National Football League (NFL) match against Air-India in Mumbai recently, but did not occupy the bench.

Eye-witnesses claim to have seen him advising the bench through messengers while watching the match from the stands.

Chathunni’s alleged action not only violated contractual commitments but also went against the court’s injunction debarring the coach from serving another club pending a decision on the case.