Mahindra United to take on AL Muharraq in AFC tie tomorrow

Margao, Apr 24 (UNI) Placed third in group 'A', Mahindra United would look to use the home advantage to snatch three points against table toppers Al Muharraq of Bahrain in the AFC Cup tie to be played here at Nehru stadium Fatorda tomorrow.

Al Muharraq have won two wins against United to their credit and a draw in the first match.

Well aware of the tough task ahead, Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira said, ''our first aim is to win as we are desperatly in need of points to ensure a berth in the second round. But the boys need to convert chances into goals.'' He said Al Muharraq, sitting at the top with seven points from three outings, are a very good side and ''we respect them for their all round abilities as they are very quick in grabbing the advantages before them.'' ''If we contain the visitors' quick footed forwards and organise ourselves better, we will have no difficulty in overpowering them with home support, which will be additional tonic for our team,'' Mr Pereira added.

He said he would resort to a 4-5-1 formation against Muharraq.

''We need to pack our defence and frustrate them before opening out. We will be heavily depending on Ghanian Yakubu Yusif in the forward line, who performed well during the three away matches in the AFC cup.

Mr Perriera also revealed that Brazilian striker Jose Ramirez Barreto will not play tomorrow owing to a hamstring injury.

Helping Yakubu in the forward line will be S Venkatesh, Stevan Dias, Subhash Chakraborthy or Sushant Mathew.

''Our striking power is formidable but it remains to be seen whether we will be able to translate this advantage into goals,'' he said.

Meanwhile, the Bahrain club, which arrived in Goa yesterday with a strong 30-memeber squad, lead the group with seven points, four points ahead of Mahindra and have been dominant since the start of the competition.

Al Muharraq have been Bahrain league champions for a record 17 times, have three foreigners in the team including Brazilian striker Dandson Dias Da Silva, Oman's Hassan Zahir Rajab Almeghni and Jordan's midfielder Bashar. Their goalkeeper Al Hassan Ali Hussain is believed to be a hard nut to crack.

The manager of the club Khalid said though playing in Goa would be a new experience for the his boys but he hopes they would do well against Mahindra.

''Playing in Goa during the day would not adversely affect our side since we are accustomed to higher temperatures,'' he said adding, '' Al Muharraq is definitely a spirited side and will go all out for a win.'' UNI SRN ADG PM VP1830