IFA Shield

Mohammedan Sporting face uphill task against AIFF Elite Academy in IFA Shield

Mohammedan Sporting Club will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-2 loss to Pathachakra Club when they take on the AIFF Elite Academy on Thursday, June 1 in Group-A of the ongoing U-19 IFA Shield at the Mohammedan Sporting ground.

However, Mohammedan Sporting coach Zaheer Abbas Hamza knows it very well that the game against the reigning U-18 I-League champions won’t be a easy one.

The AIFF Elite Academy have beaten East Bengal 2-1 in the tournament opener and will also come hard to garner maximum points against Mohammedan Sporting to secure their place in the semifinals.

“The game against Pathchakra was a tough one. The boys put on a decent performance. We had our chances but at the end it was our mistakes that proved costly,” said Hamza.

“It will be a difficult match against AIFF Academy and we must be very disciplined both in defense and attack in order to contain them because they are a very god side,” he added.

The last time when the two sides met it was in the 2016 U-19 IFA Shield, where Mohammedan Sporting Club suffered a 2-5 defeat to the AIFF Elite Academy.

The match at the Mohammedan Sporting ground will kick-off at 15.30 IST on Thursday.

Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

I'm a creative mind working in football management, consulting and media with more than 20 years of experience in football business and sports media. I love travelling, photography and share things I like. Consultancy, Project Management and Public Relations for professional football clubs, federations, media and corporates on (Indian) football. Indian football expert, writer and blogger. Strategic Advisor to Women's Bundesliga 2 side FSV Gütersloh 2009. Former COO cum Assistant Editor-in-Chief of IndianFootball.Com and its parent company. [+ Read more]