Resurgent DSK take on struggling Churchill Brothers

The home side hold the advantage of confidence after winning their first game against Chennai...

DSK Shivajians triumphed over opponents Chennai City FC with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home on Tuesday. The win was confirmed by their star players Juan Quero and Kim Song-Yong. The side from Pune will be riding high on confidence as they prepare for another home game, their third in a row. 

Meanwhile, the visitors from Goa are in desperate need of a turnaround, having lost their first three fixtures. What will trouble Churchill Brothers manager Alfred Fernandes even more will be his side's below par performances. The Goan side have conceded 7 goals in their three games, scoring only a solitary goal in the process. 

Team News

The home side could start with a similar formation, after a dominating performance in their last game. Their captain Juan Quero should be a guaranteed starter after coming off early in the previuos game. 

For Churchill the experienced Clifford Miranda will be hoping to impress the coach to get back into the squad after he was left out against East Bengal. Denzil Franco is still recovering from a knock sustained before the start of the season. After the defeat to East Bengal, 50-year-old Fernandes could ring in the changes. The club is yet to sign two more foreigners but they are yet to be revealed and will not take part in the game on Saturday. 

Head-to-Head

This is the first meeting between the two teams.

Man-to-Watch

Kim Song-Yong-DSK Shivajians: The Japan born North Korean striker joined the red and whites of DSK over the summer and has since impressed in his performances for the club, including the Durand Cup. Having got his first goal and assist in the win over Chennai in midweek, Song-Yong will be full of confidence and raring to go. He could be the difference-maker come the visit of Churchill Brothers.

Brandon Fernandes-Churvhill Btothers: An attacking midfielder who was part of ASD Cape Town youth team is now playing the role of a playmaker for the Red Machines. The midfielder is expectationally clinical at set-pieces and has already scored one goal from a free-kick for Churchill .Brandon is also known for his clinical game in the final third and will play an important role for Churchill against Shivajians.

Probable Line-ups

DSK Shivajians: Anganba, Chettri, Kolunja, Lalrinzuala; R. Kumar, McFaul, Mawihmingthanga, M. Singh, Quero; Chhangte, Yong.  -

Churchill Brothers: Priyant, Rodrigues, Almeida, Khan, Seriton Fernandes, Bektur, Brandon, Cardozo, Lyngdoh, Colaco, Costa.

Broadcast

The match will be live on Ten from 04:30pm.