The battle for avoiding relegation continues for Viva Kerala and Air India when the two teams play each other at EMS Memorial Stadium, Kozhikode. Viva Kerala are out to win the hearts of their fans whereas, Air India is trying to redeem their new-found luck.
Live Commentary and Updates exclusively on Footballkerala.com from 18:45 hrs on 28th Jan 2009.
Image not recovered: viva-airindiaLast time the two teams played each other was two seasons back during the I-League. Despite being relegated that season, Viva edged Air India 3-2 and then held on to a 1-1 stalemate in the two matches they played. Ironically, none of the goal scorers from both teams are there with them this season.
**Form Guide
** Last five completed matches during the current season (2009-10) excluding friendlies/practice matches and most recent results first
**Viva Kerala – LWDDD
** Viva had a reality check in their last game against Pune FC. Though Viva dominated most of the proceedings, Pune capitalized on their chances and Viva can learn a thing or two from the Pune outfit on how to grab goal scoring opportunities.
**Air India – WLLLD
** Air India comes to Kozhikode having won their last match and finally breaking the losing streak. Air India had humiliating losses twice against Dempo and once to Mohun Bagan before they pipped fellow relegation battlers Salgaocar 2-1.
Team News
**Viva Kerala
** Coach Sreedharan and the Viva fans will welcome back K Noushad and C Sirajudeen who missed the last match.
Both players were thoroughly missed against Pune FC as the left flank was completely distraught. Surjit will move back to the left back position as Marshook and Karma who played on the left flank looked clueless. Karma will move to his comfortable right wing position. P Rahul, who was impressive in the last match and Marshook are likely to sit out.
The Viva defence has looked robust during most matches and the two foreign defenders, Bello and Charles, have been impressive. However, lapse in concentration has often lead to the opposition teams capitalizing on the opportunities that come their way.
Goalkeeper Shahinlal was impressive with some great saves and if it was not for him, the defence would have leaked more goals.
In midfield, Patrick and Sakeer will look to control the proceedings again. However, Sakeer will need to play up a little more if Viva needs to take advantage of the weak Air India midfield.
Sirajudeen has an uncanny way of scoring goals and he will look to exploit the gaps in midfield to squeeze past the Air India defensive line.
Youngster Shibinlal looked better on the field compared to Rueben and awed the spectators with a bicycle kick that required India’s No. 1 keeper Subrata Paul to pull off a spectacular save off the line.
Rueben will need to improve his game and as Air India stand-in coach Yusur Ansari quoted earlier will need to show more confidence on the field.
Probable XI (4-4-2): Shahinlal Meloly– K Noushad, Bello Rasaq, Charles Dzisah, VV Surjit – T Karma, Raman Patrick Sisupalan, MP Sakeer, C Sirajuddeen – Rueben Senyo, VK Shibinlal.
**Air India
** Yusuf Ansari IN...Bimal Ghosh OUT…
The team has been struggling to find form and their last match was a welcome relief. But they have a long way to go before they can secure themselves of a safe position in the league.
There are no injury or suspension concerns for the Airmen except for left winger Tapan Maity.
At goal, rookie goalkeeper Sawant Kunal has managed to hold on the starting role for the team. The defence line is well guarded by Khelemba Singh, experienced foreigner Peter Odafe, man mountain Harpreet Singh, impressive wing back Ravinder Singh and sweeper Uttam Singh.
Midfielder Vijith Shetty will be looking to shore in the resources he has in hand to lead the team to a respectable result. His performance has been turning a few heads to sit up and take notice of this experienced midfielder.
The Airmen for some reason still seem to be missing India camper Singham Subash Singh and current Sporting player Michael Tayo who left Air India at the beginning of this season.
Upfront, former junior India player Mohammed Dada Nabeel and Nigerian striker ND Opara will look to make up for their disappointment in the previous matches.
Probable XI (4-1-3-2): Sawant Kunall – Khelemba Singh, Peter Odafe, Harpreet Singh, Ravinder Singh – Uttam Singh – Vijith Shetty, Yusuf Ibrahim, Sukhdeb Ghosh – Mohammed Dada Nabeel, ND Opara.
**Players to Watch
** Rueben Senyo (Viva Kerala) – The striker is known for scoring goals against weaker teams. If he manages to find the net again, Viva will be out of the relegation zone for a few rounds at the least.
ND Opara (Air India) – He has not been at his best. But one match is enough to give him a turn around and he will be looking to take advantage of Viva’s defensive lapses to get his name on the scoreboard again.
**Key Matchups
** Bello Rasaq vs. ND Opara
MP Sakeer vs. Vijith Shetty
Rueben Senyo vs. Peter Odafe
Jason Morais writes for footballkerala.com
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Wednesday 27 January 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.
Comments · 4
Hi,
Two things viva should work on. One, the goalie, all the three goals scored by pune were from a distance and any goalie in ileague should be able to stop(punching etc.). viva should either change him or train him about the basic footwork. goalie should stay little deeper unless one to one with a striker or corner kicks. please teach him before it is too late, an experience goalie is always better so maybe use one of the sarath. On reuben, he has funny way of dribbling ball and funny way of moving the body...he never think of passing to other open team mates. viva should let him go, find a better foreign striker, use asian quota if viva wants to make fan happy or win sponsership. Maybe reuben is under stress so train him not just physically but mentally too.
go viva
All the best viva. we r praying for ur victory. the cheer leaders r here :)
wen wil game start
the game has started now