HASC aim high in must-win match

Local outfit take on bottom-placed ONGC in crucial I-League tie

With just four points separating the bottom four teams, Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club will look to bring their stuttering campaign back on track when they face off against bottom side ONGC at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Sunday.

Currently lying fourth from bottom with eleven points, HASC will be familiar with their opponents, having met them in the I-League II Division last year. HASC captain J Murali was a picture of confidence. “We will win this match. It is a home game and an absolute must-win match,” he said. “There is no doubt in my mind that we will come away from the match tomorrow with the full three points.

Having played with a relatively defensive 4-5-1 formation against Dempo last Sunday, HASC will return to their more familiar 4-4-2 formation with A Hamza and RC Prakash playing the strikers’ roles and Xavier Vijay Kumar and Malemnganba Meitei playing as wingers. HASC will be hoping for captain Murali to continue his good form in the centre of midfield.

The Aircraftmen, though, have a couple of concerns with dynamic wideman James Singh still out with a ligament injury and Nigerian central defender Joseph Femy suspended after picking up a second yellow card against Dempo. But they will be buoyed by the fact that midfielder Vijesh Kumar PU is getting back to full fitness. Further, during the January transfer window, they signed former East Bengal goalkeeper Chuntu and procured promising young midfielder Ankit Sharma from Indian Arrows, on loan.

“Injuries are always a concern, particularly when they rule out big players. Femy has played just two matches for us all year, with injuries and suspensions getting in the way. So it is a bit frustrating. But I think we have enough depth with the new players coming in,” R Thyagaraj, coach of HASC, said.

ONGC, lying last with just seven points from twelve games, have no injury worries and a full squad at their disposal. “We have a full-strength team and we are going into tomorrow’s match looking for the full three points to get our season back on track,” Subrata Bhattacharya, the ONGC coach, said.

“The only concern for me is the condition of the pitch. It has been very difficult to play on over the last couple of games, and hopefully it won’t spoil what should be a really well contested encounter.”

The playing surface did look in comparatively better condition than before, and Murali was hopeful that this would spur his team to a much-needed win.

“Yes, the pitch is looking a bit better. We need to take advantage of our home matches if we are to stand a chance of surviving. What we need here is plenty of atmosphere. Hopefully, a lot of people will come in to watch the match tomorrow and, with a better playing surface, we will be the ones coming out smiling at the end of the match.”