Current leader Chennai City FC (CCFC) will look to push ahead the propitious start it has had in the I-League by netting more points when it takes on former champion Aizawl FC at the latter’s home at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Friday.
Having beaten a traditional giant like East Bengal at the latter’s home in the previous outing, CCFC will be eager to make its trip to the East more worthwhile by bagging at least a point from Aizawl and keep its unbeaten run intact.
Lurking at the bottom with just two points from two draws (and losing the other two), Aizawl will be hard-pressed to pick up the points to make a turnaround. This would be the biggest challenge for his side, said CCFC coach Akbar Nawas.
“We are going to have a tricky time against Aizawl FC. A team that is looking for the first win will always hope to go all out. We will have to focus on delivering the best against Aizawl,” Nawas said.
Nucleus
CCFC’s excellence has been built on the nucleus of four Spaniards — striker Pedro Manzi, attacking midfielders Nestor Gordillo and Sandro Rodriguez and central defender Roberto Eslava — who remain the spine of the side’s performances.
“We have to remain humble and stick to our game-plan of trying to win every match we play,” Nawas said.
Aizawl FC coach Gift Raikahn gave the clarion call to his side, asking to the players to sacrifice their best for the team.
“I want the players to make the sacrifice for the side. I want to see blood inside the ground. The result will soon follow,” Raikhan said.
The match starts at 2 p.m.
