Viva Kerala and JCT face-off this Saturday at the newly christened EMS Stadium at Kozhikode and both teams go into the match knowing that a win in Kozhikode will help them to stay clear of the relegation zone for a while.
The last time the two teams played against each other was at the recently concluded Federation Cup, where Viva Kerala pulled off a surprise point from JCT.
Form Guide
Last five completed matches during the current season (2009-10) excluding friendlies/practice matches and most recent results first
Viva Kerala – DDDDW
Viva will be desperate to pull off a win at home against a demoralized JCT.
Four straight draws and the performance during these matches have proved that Viva is increasingly becoming difficult to beat. Their fans are likely turn out in huge numbers and this should give them a much needed boost.
JCT – LDLD
JCT seems to be on a free fall for the moment. They would need something extra from their players to get something away from this match. Ten games without a win including seven I-League matches is not a good sign especially after their brilliant start to the season.
Team News
Viva Kerala
Coach Sreedharan has an alternate player for every position except in the attack upfront.
At goal, there is a rejuvenated Shahinlal, a fit K Sharat and an improved EC Sharath to choose from. Shahinlal is likely to get the nod due to his great show last week against Lajong and it will also give K Sharat another week to recover completely from his niggle.
The back four of Noushad, Bello, Charles and Surjit have been giving a sturdy performance. The other players providing cover in defence are Amarwant Singh and Marshook. The midfield is also settled with the quartet of Karma, Patrick, Sakeer and Siraj playing at their best and can match any midfield quartet in the country. Others like P Rahul, KP Anish, KP Nishad and Ahmed Malik have been impressive during the season and are always ready to fill in when required.
In attack, Viva is likely to start with Rueben Senyo and Shibinlal. This is an area of concern for the coach with both strikers struggling to find the net. While Shibinlal seems to be improving with every match, Rueben seems to be another Baba Tunde in the making with goals coming only against low-ranked teams and he will be eager to prove the critics wrong with goals in front of his home fans.
Star striker Sabeeth has started light training but is not expected to be back till February. The coach has tried both Anish and Malik as makeshift strikers during the season. While both the players have been impressive whenever they have got a chance, they have not been able to add to the team’s goal kitty.
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.
JCT
It has been a while since Parminder Singh has taken over, he has struggled to get the JCT outfit work as a team and they have only been a shade of what they have been at the beginning of the season.
To add too the woes, goal-poacher Baljit Singh Sahni and creative midfielder Jagpreet Singh have not recovered from their injuries. Youngsters Amandeep Singh and star defender Sunil Kumar are also on the injury list.
The rest of the team pick themselves and the coach does not seem to have any options. Foreign striker Henry Chukwukere and former junior India striker Balwant Singh have struggled to score goals this season.
Midfielders Baldeep Singh Jr. and Penn Orji will be key cogs in the quartet playing in the middle.
Goalkeeper Karanjit Singh has been exceptional under the bar and a section of the media has been carrying for his selection into the second string Indian team.
Probable XI (4-4-2): Karanjit Singh – Jaspal Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Sarbjeet Singh, Daljit Singh – Baldeep Singh Jr., Penn Ikechukwu Orji, Harish Sharma, Sakatar Singh – Balwant Singh, Henry Chukwukere.
Players to Watch
MP Sakeer (Viva Kerala) – The youngster was the the fans’ man of the match against Lajong. He has matured with every match and a goal at home will be what the fans will be hoping.
Penn Ikechukwu Orji (JCT) – The Nigerian central midfielder has been pulling the strings in the middle of the park for JCT this season and his responsibilities have probably doubled or tripled with the loss of playmaker Jagpreet Singh and star striker Baljit Singh Sahni. He has been in great form and will be the one to watch out.
Key Matchups
Bello Rasaq vs. Balwant Singh
MP Sakeer vs. Penn Orji
C Sirajudeen vs. Baldeep Singh Jr.
Rueben Senyo vs. Gurwinder Singh
Jason Morais writes for footballkerala.com
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Friday 15 January 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.