The Hindu : Sport / Football : Mahindra United takes on Brothers Union

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Tuesday, May 16, 2006

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Sport - Football

Mahindra United takes on Brothers Union

Dempo has only pride to play for as it faces Merv of Turkmenistan

Panaji: NFL and Federation Cup champion Mahindra United will go all out for victory against Brothers Union of Bangladesh when they meet on Tuesday here to complete their league engagement of the AFC Cup football tournament.

Now placed third in Group `A' with seven points from five outings, a win will keep its hope alive to make it to the quarterfinals as one of the second-best team from the six groups in the fray, provided Al Ahed, which is second with points, loses against Al Muharraq (10 points), which has made it to the next round by topping the group.

Mahindra, which drew against Brothers Union 2-2 at Dhaka and holds the advantage over its rival, will miss star striker Jose Barreto who is still nursing a hamstring injury. In his absence, Yusif Yakubu, along with Surajit Bose will lead the attack. They will be backed by S. Venkatesh, Steven Dias, Sushanth Mathew, David Adjei and Rauf Khan.

Brothers Union, under coach Wajed Gazi, has won the Federation Cup and the Dhaka League. Its key players are Mohammed Sujan, Ibnul Siraji, Parvez Babu, Abdul Hosain, Monwar Hossain, Zahid Hossain Emily and Mehdi Hassan Topu.

No chance

Meanwhile, having no chance of making it to the next round, Dempo will play for pride when it meets Merv of Turkmenistan in the concluding match of Group `B' here.

With both the teams tied at one point each from three outings, they have no chance of making it to the quarterfinals even if they win on Tuesday. Dempo coach Armando Colaco said his team will not treat Merv lightly as it still has to play for pride. "We may not be in a position to qualify, but still there is a lot at stake for Dempo which is looking to wind off its league engagements with a win after two losses and a draw,'' Colaco said.

Merv, under the guidance of coach Dovletmurat Bayramov, will also look for its maiden win in the AFC Cup like Dempo.

Merv, which finished second in the Turkmenistan Cup, will rely on Merdan Nursahatov, Sedar Amanov and Makhtumkuli Begendjev to turn the tide in its favour. — PTI

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