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.
