Litmus test for RoundGlass Punjab FC against Chennai City FC

by Marina Gonsalves February 12, 2021

KALYANI: With the Hero I-League entering its latter stages, vital points are on the line when second-placed RoundGlass Punjab FC clash swords against sixth-placed Chennai City FC, in an attempt to keep their winning momentum alive, at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium in Kalyani, West Bengal tomorrow (February 13th, 2021). The kick-off is slated for 4 PM IST and the match will be streamed live on the 1Sports Facebook page.

RoundGlass Punjab survived a late scare against the Indian Arrows and moved up to the second position in the table with 11 points after 7 games. With just three match weeks left before the league moves into the next stage, Curtis Fleming will look to inspire his side to a third victory in as many games and solidify a position in the top half of the Hero I-League standings.

Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, coach Curtis Fleming said, “The team’s morale is high. We are in a good position and have won two wins in a row. We can’t get carried away or get too excited. As soon as the game against Indian Arrows was over, our attention turned to the Chennai City FC game.”

“Chennai City have great quality. Just like us, they play possession-based football, which is hard to defend. It is going to be a difficult match for us as well. It is fascinating to listen when people say that they have been struggling. I have looked at all their games, and they are an excellent team. They have won two of the last four games, for me that is not a team which is struggling.”

Speaking about newcomer Baba Diawara’s effect on the team, Fleming said, “Chencho and Beitia have played well this season, and Baba coming into that is just great. They are hard workers, hungry and determined. And when they are doing well and scoring, that means the team is doing well”, he added.

Defender Samad Ali Mallick said, “We have a good group of players at this club. The coach is also making us train hard, and getting used to the formations. If we stick to our hard work, the team is bound to get positive results.”

Chennai City FC held off a late challenge by ten-men NEROCA FC and bounced back into winning ways in their last match. Now, Satyasagara’s side sits on a knife-edge of the 6th position with nine points. Despite having a game in hand, they cannot afford to drop points at such a crucial stage of the season as they aim for nothing short of three points against Punjab.

Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, head coach Satyasagara of Chennai City FC said, “We had a good win despite the late nerves against NEROCA FC, and now want to build on that momentum. We have had a good rest after our last game. The players are raring to go and get another positive result against RoundGlass Punjab.”

“We have worked on certain areas of the game where we are lacking. RoundGlass Punjab is a good strong team, and it will be a good fight in tomorrow’s game. I am positive that the boys will play well and build on their momentum,” the Singaporean coach added.

Defender Tarif Akhand said, “I believe we are playing attacking football this season as well. We need to be sharper in the game while focusing on our defensive shape. We have a solid squad with a quality set of foreigners playing for us. They have helped many younger players in their development and bring vital experience from playing in Europe into the team.”

CREDITS: I-LEAGUE MEDIA