Strong will power, backed by a prayer! That will be the case for both Rangdajied United and Bhawanipore FC, vying for the only ticket left for participation in next year’s I-League when the two outfits play Mohammedan Sporting (who have already qualified) and Mumbai Tigers respectively in the 2nd Division I-League matches at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s a do or die game for us tomorrow. We have to beat the odds. Mohammedan Sporting are a top side. But we are full of confidence and the occasion serves just the right kind of impetus for the boys,” Rangdajied assistant coach Khlain P Syiemlieh said. “Tomorrow is a must win match for us. We need to be on our toes,” he added.

The Meghalaya club have won all of their four encounters so far in Round II of the Finals Phase. They are on 16 points from 9 matches. A win will seal their qualification. But a draw or loss can make matters complicated, provided Bhawanipore FC win against out of contention Mumbai Tigers.

Only a win won’t be enough for Bhawanipore FC who are currently placed third in the points table with 14 points from nine outings. Mohammedan Sporting will have to get the better of Rangdajied. A draw and a Bhawanipore win will bring the two teams level on points. As they both are equal on head-to-head count, goal difference – which is at the moment also equal (+4) – will come into the fray.

Bhawanipore Coach Juliano Fontana though wants to keep it simple. “We have to win tomorrow. We just have don’t have any other option. It will be better if we win handsomely. As far as the other match is concerned, we can only hope and pray that Sporting beat Rangdajied. Sporting have been the best team here. I feel they can outwit Rangdajied who also have peaked at the right time.”

Both the teams do not have major injury concerns.

Match timings:
Rangdajied vs Mohammedan Sporting (1.30 pm)
Mumbai Tigers vs Bhawanipore FC (4 pm).

The calculation:
a) If Rangdajied win against Mohammedan Sporting, they earn a ticket to I-League 2013-14.
b) If Rangajied play a draw and Bhawanipore FC win, they may pip Rangdajied Fc on goal difference.
c) If both Rangdajied and Bhawanipore split points, the former goes through on better points.

(AIFF Press Release)