Uphill task for Fransa against unbeaten Sporting club tomorrow

Panaji, Mar 4 (UNI) Super cup champions Sporting Club de Goa have a chance of scoring full points when they take on bottom-placed local Fransa Pax club in the ONGC 10th edition National football league (NFL) championship, which will resume here from tomorrow.

The three NFL matches in Goa have been shifted to Mapusa at GFA's ground as Nehru stadium at Fatorda has been handed over to Goa Cricket Association (GCA) to prepare a wicket for the one-day international (ODI) cricket match between India and England, scheduled to be played there on April 3.

A well-knit and unbeaten Sporting club placed third in the league table are tied with Mohammedan Sporting with 10 points each below table-toppers Mahindra United with 16 points and East Bengal with 12 points.

Fransa Pax, who have only two points from two drawn matches out of four outings, desparately need win to keep their hope alive in the high-profile league.

Sporting Club coach Clifford Chukuwama is happy with his team's performance so far and is looking forward to winning against Fransa tomorrow.

He said, ''Though Fransa is at the bottom, we will not take them lightly. Our main aim is to gain full points.'' Fransa coach Norbert Gonsalves said, the month's break has provided the much-needed rest to his team players, especially those who were nursing injuries to recover. Goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas and Brazilian forward Ivan de Silva have recovered and will play tomorrow, he said.

However, the coach's only worry is that though his team is well-balanced, the side lacks in the 'sting'. He said, ''If we contain sporting Nigerian duo, half the battle will be won,'' and hoped that with a little bit of luck, the boys will play with improved showing and bang the target.

Sporting club have a superior striking power with Nigerian duo - Dudu Omagbhemi and Edeh Chidi, who are instrumental in scoring goals for their side. Their mid-field also looks sound with Bibian Fernandes and Nicholas Rodrigues.

Fransa would be heavily depending on their forwards - Brazilian Ivan D'silva and South African Siddney Nakalanga, to deliver the goods. Bello Rasaq, Roque Barretto and Peter Carvalho will man the mid-field, which needs more punch.

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