Churchill eyes Japanese Ito

New Delhi:

Close on the heels of arch-rival Dempo looking out for a Syrian national team player, I-League champions Churchill Brothers are also planning to rope in a Japanese under the All India Football Federation's new rule.

According to the Asian Football Confederation's new rule, clubs in the continent can have four foreign players under their rolls, including an Asian, and the AIFF has also given the green signal to this from I-League, commencing from October 1.

Churchill President Joaquim Alemao today said they have called a Japanese footballer Ito for trial as well as a Person of Indian Origin from Canada for goalkeeper.

"We are going to have trial for two foreign players. Ito is a Japanese and Jason is a PIO, who has roots in Punjab. Jason would give trial for goalkeeper," Alemao said after Churchill beat Dempo 2-1 to enter Durand Cup final on Saturday.

Asked about his team's performance, Alemao said, "Dempo have seven national team players, while we have only one in central defender Gouramangi Singh. But still we won the match."

"We won the IFA shield on September 12. We are very happy of that win. No Goan side had ever won IFA shield earlier," he added.

Dempo is eyeing Syrian midfielder Abdul Razak Al Hussain, who is playing for Al Jaish club in the country.