Kochi: Struggling reigning I-League champions Churchill Brothers take on United SC in the lung opener of the 35th Federation Cup football tournament here tomorrow.
In the second Group A match of the day at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here, Pune FC take on Eagles FC of Kerala in what could be a tricky match for both sides.
The tournament, the country's premier league-cum-knock-out competition, is being held in Kochi and Manjeri in Kerala. Kochi is hosting Group A and C matches, besides the semifinals and the final. Manjeri hosts Group B and D matches. The winners of each group progress to the semifinals.
Churchill, who are languishing at the bottom of the I-League table with just two wins from 13 games, have had a horrendous season so far and they would be hoping for a change in their fortunes starting with the Federation Cup, a competition which they have never won.
The Goan giants have used eight different foreigners already in the I-League with Costa Rican international Cristian Lagos being the latest recruit. Lagos, however, will be ineligible to play in the tournament but 2006 Trinidad and Tobago World Cupper Anthony Wolfe will be in action for the Goan side under Technical Director Subhas Bhowmick.
United SC have also been struggling on and off the field with the club's financial problems having taken a toll on both the players and coach Eelco Schattorie. United went into the I-League break with a six-match winless run and they would be hugely depending on star striker Ranti Martins to deliver the goods.
The Pune FC vs Eagles Sports Club match could turn out to be a tricky one with the home side having recently roped in some established players from IMG-Reliance on loan.
For Pune FC, who have not reached the knock-out phase of the tournament, it would be a perfect build-up for AFC Champions League Play-off, which is coming up later this month.
Coach Mike Snoei has a fully fit squad for selection. The fresh recruits -- defender Zeeshan Rahman and attacker Gabriel Fernandes -- who were signed by Pune FC just a few days ago joined the team here to complete the final 20-man squad eligible to play the Federation Cup.
With all four foreigners -- defender Calum Angus, medio Douhou Pierre, winger-striker James Meyer and striker Mustapha Riga in the squad, Pune FC will hope to get off to a winning start.
Eagles FC, coached by former India assistant coach Stanley Rosario, have recently signed on loan the likes of Sushil Kumar Singh, M Subhas Singh, Chandam Chitrasen Singh, Gouranga Biswas, Jagroop Singh and Govin Singh.
Eagles, who will also play in the I-League second division this season, recently finished runners-up in the Kerala State Championship.
