East Bengal and Churchill play their last game at YBK

Kolkata, Nov 30 (UNI) A see-saw battle is expected when Churchill Brothers and East Bengal face each other to complete their first leg engagements of the ONGC I-League here tomorrow.

The Goan outfit, who missed the trophy by a whisker to Dempo SC last year, are now placed third in the league table with 17 points and have tasted their first and only defeat in their previous visit to this city.

Their 0-1 loss to Mohun Bagan in this edition might spell doom in the long run if they do not make amends while playing East Bengal.

Churchill Brothers played 10, won four, drew five and are placed third with Dempo, but have the edge on goal difference. Their chance to make the top or second place in the 12-team table was impossible in this leg since Sporting Clube de Goa had 22 points from 10 games and Mohun Bagan's 21 points are insurmountable. But full points from the East Bengal match might make them richer for the second leg beginning on third week of January.

Odafe Okolie, who is now atop the list of highest scorer with 11 goals, might prove lethal this time. He was totally undone in Mohun Bagan match by tight man marking from Peter Odafa, another Nigerian.

East Bengal, with so many big names of India-Internationals have been reeling under severe pressure since their back to back defeats at Mumbai FC and Air India and lately from Dempo, another Goa outfit.

Their points are now 12 from 10 matches and the team placed seventh is likely missed the contest for the top slot.

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