JCT to take on Mahindras United

Panaji:

Federation Cup champion Mahindra United will take on JCT Mills, Phagwara, on Friday in the 10th ONGC National Football league at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. Mahindra United, who had a thrilling 4-3 win over Dempo Sports Club hold an edge over their rivals upfront as they have two sharpshooters - Yusif Yakubu and Jose Ramirez Baretto - who were mainly responsible for that victory. They have four points from two matches thus far. However, the Mahindra defence looks shaky at times and will have to tighten up as the nippy Johnson will exploit any weakness along with Praveen Kumar. The JCT defence has been compact and have managed to sustain the pressure in the last two drawn encounters. But Mahindra have the best attack in the NFL and an able midfield where James Singh and Steven Dias have played their role to perfection. Close contest JCT coach Parminder Singh said Mahindra was a good side but not unbeatable. "They have two good strikers in the form of Jose Baretto and Yusif Yakubu which is worrying us. We have worked out our plan to counter them and are prepared for the same," Singh said. Mahindra coach Derick Pereira is confident that his team will win tomorrow if their boys continue to play the same way they did against Dempo. "They (JCT) have a compact defence but we have a sharp attack to counter them. We have to be careful and cannot take them lightly. "We have to continue from where we left against Dempo. It will be a close contest but I am confident we will emerge winners," Pereira said. (PTI)