THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Marino Dias: We know that Persipura is a good team

Churchill Brothers SC

Churchill Brothers SC

Indonesia’s Persipura Jayapura will play host to the reigning I-League champions Churchill Brothers SC in an AFC Cup 2014 Group E encounter at the Mandala Stadium on Tuesday at 16.00 local time.

Churchill Brothers who also won the 2014 edition of the Federation Cup are in a breezing form and will look to continue their perfect streak against the reigning Indonesia Super League (ISL) champions.

The I-League side have won five times and drew thrice in their last eight domestic matches and their confidence has boosted since their Federation Cup campaign. Striker Balwant Singh who is also in his best form has occupied the third position of the I-League top goal scorers chart.

Coach Marino Dias said, “We know that Persipura is a good team, they are the champions of Indonesia and are playing in their home ground. Our boys will give their best and try to come away with all three points.”

Churchill’s Egyptian midfielder Abdelhamid Shabana also commented on tomorrow’ s game and said, “We have been unbeaten in our last eight domestic matches, our team’s confidence is high. We respect our opponents, Persipura Jayapura, who are the Indonesian champions. We will go out on the field with a belief of winning the match.”

The Black Pearls on the other hand will be keen to take forward their good run of form as they are placed second in the current season of the ISL with two wins and three draws.

The Indonesian side have a relatively fit squad that is capable of handling the best of teams on their day.

Persipura Jayapura and Churchill Brothers would fight it out for three points on Tuesday in what promises to be a cracker of an encounter at the Mandala Stadium.