League leaders Chennai City look to continue unbeaten run against Aizawl

The South Indian side have not lost a single match yet, while Gift Raikhan's side have not registered a victory yet.

After a confidence-boosting victory in Kolkata against local giants Quess East Bengal, Chennai City FC will look to extend their lead and stay at the top of the 12th Hero I-League standings with a victory against a subdued Aizawl FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Saturday (November 16, 2018). The match between the top and bottom placed sides of the league is scheduled for a 2 PM kick-off.

Chennai have been, by far, the most impressive side of the league, notching up three wins out of four and remaining unbeaten with 10 points. Former champions Aizawl, on the other hand, are yet to win a match and have crashed to two defeats and managed two draws in the four games they have played so far.

Gift Raikhan, the coach of the home side, who had such a wonderful run with debutants Neroca FC in the last edition, has found the going comparatively tough at Aizawl, with his three main goal scorers, scoring just three goals between them, two of which came via the penalty spot. Three of the four Aizawl goals, in this campaign, have come from set pieces, further indicating a complete lack of ideas up front.

The Aizawl coach seemed well aware of the task at hand confiding, “The result has not been good enough. We need to regroup and approach together on the pitch. The boys are a little bit down because of the results. But collectively we will work hard and give our best tomorrow. Football is a team game and we should believe in one another.”

Contrastingly for Chennai and their new coach Akbar Nawas, it has been a dream start to their campaign. Not only have they scored 11 times- four more than second best Gokulam, and notched up three victories, their Spanish signings have been on fire, with Pedro Manzi sitting on top of the goal scoring chart with four goals to his name and left winger Nestor Jesus, fast emerging as the star of this Hero I-League season.

The affable looking Spaniard has not only scored twice but has also initiated many a goal-scoring move and along with his countryman Sandro, controlled games from the midfield, with elan.

Coach Nawas acknowledged the role played by the Spaniards in the pre-game chat elaborating, “Yes, the Spanish players are doing well but they can improve further in the style that we are playing.”

Given the circumstances both sides find themselves in, the hosts, unless they turn things around dramatically, will find it difficult to come away with a positive result on Saturday. The visitors will, however, be eyeing nothing short of a victory to secure a wonderful run of three consecutive away wins.

ALSO READ

• Talking Points: Chennai City show East Bengal how to play the Spanish style

• It is a dream of everyone to represent the national team– Nishu Kumar

• Top five games to watch in the international break

Team News

Aizawl FC

The hosts do not have any major injury concerns and are looking forward to going into the game after almost a weeklong absence from action.

Chennai City FC

The league leaders also do not have any injury concerns at the moment and are expected to field their strongest XI against the former champions. Only Michael Regin is not fully fit.

Probable Lineups

Aizawl FC- Gurpreet (GK), Govin, Bektur, Lalkhawpuimawia, Dodoz, Kareem, David, Jaryan, Kromah, Hmingthan, Vanlalduatsanga

Chennai City FC- Kabir (GK), Roberto, Sandro, Edwin, Jesuraj, Charles, Gaurav, Nestor, Pravitto, Kamaraj, Manzi.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Broadcast

The game will be telecasted live at 2 PM on Friday on Star Sports 3 along with Hotstar and Jio TV.