JCT to clash with HAL tomorrow

Bangalore, Mar 4 (UNI) JCT Phagwara will clash with local League Champions Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club in the eighth round of the ONGC Cup National Football League here tomorrow.

Evenly placed in the table with six points each from seven matches both the teams are eager to register their second win in the league to move up in the points table.

Though the Millmen were favourite team in the beginning of the League, their performance had been up and down with only one win (against Mohan Bagan 2-0) and three draws (Churchill Brothers, Dempo and Air India) to their credit so far. HAL, which got entry following last minute withdrawal by Tata Football Academy, proved its inclusion with better performance so far but luck has favoured with only one win to them (against Sporting Clube De Goa 2-1) and three draw (Mohan Bagan, Mohammedan Sporting, Churchill Brothers).

JCT Coach Sukwinder Singh said that no team can be taken lightly in the NFL. ''We should have won our last encounter against Air India but has to settle for draw despite good performance by the players.'' Sukhwinder, a former National Coach, was confident of his team going for outright victory in morrow's match. ''HAL has been performing well, they may pose danger in their home pitch, you cannot take them lightly,'' he, however added.

About injuries in the team, he said that Anwar Ali, who was off the field due to ankle injury, may play tomorrow. Defender Harpreet Singh and Midfielder Narendra were ruled out due to injury.

''in the beginning, I had confidence that the team would win the Championship. But with only six points from seven matches, hopes had to be given up. However, still there is chance, if we win three matches consecutively we may top the points table.'' HAL Coach Krishnaji was confident of his team putting up good fight tomorrow. ''The players are completely fit, there is no injury worry and no cards. Vashim, who was in the injury list due to knee injury suffered in the first match against Mohan Bagan, is completely fit and will play tomorrow.'' ''Tomorrow's match would witness a keen contest since JCT is tough team. I am proud of my team, the boys have been performing well so far,'' he said.

UNI