JOIN USHASC may turn party poopers
A staggering 17 defeats from 23 outings that include a poor home record has pushed Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club into relegation territory.
But now with nothing to lose, the Bangalore side could prove tricky opponents and play spoilsport to the hopes of Mumbai Football Club, who will be aiming to stay afloat in the I-League, when the teams meet in their 25th round encounter at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Saturday.
With three matches remaining, HASC lie at the bottom of the 14-team league table with eight points — from one win and five draws — in season of embarrassments. HASC’s only victory came in an away tie, 2-0 against Chirag United Kerala February.
The M Muralidharan-coached side’s miserable home record — the team has failed to win a single match here in 11 attempts — has had big say in their dismal season.
Even though Mumbai FC have not been consistent so far, they still have managed to put on board 21 points from 24 matches, four points more than Chirag United, who have played only 22 matches.
Come Saturday, with little pressure and with lively midfielder Rohit Chand in top-form, HASC could be doubly dangerous. Chand was in top form in their 4-6 defeat to Pune Football Club on Tuesday, scoring three goals. But HASC’s main concern is their defence with the team having conceded 54 goals so far.
Poor conversion
The forward line of J Hamza and Malemngamba Meitei also hasn’t been in supreme form for that matter. Hamza, who is the top-scorer for HASC with eight goals, has to improve his conversion rate by leaps and bounds if the P Pramod-led side is to have any chance of conjuring up their first home victory.
On the other hand, the visitors still have a bright chance of keeping their I-league spot intact with a win against the Aircraftmen. Mumbai, who will miss the services of Chhangte Malaswmkima for double-booking, too have defensive worries with their back-four letting in 46 goals this season, second only to HASC. “It’s a crucial match for us and three points will be vital for our survival in the I-League,” said Mumbai FC manager Henry Picardo.
The Khalid Jamil-coached side will bank on midfielder Keegan Pereira and striker Abhishek Yadav for fetching them full points while HASC will be keen to avenge their 0-4 defeat to the same opponents in their away tie.
