High flying Mizoram will look to extend their seven-match winning streak when they take on Tamil Nadu and a buoyant Railways face Maharashtra in the two semifinals of the 68th National Championships for Santosh Trophy at the Kanchenjunga Stadium here tomorrow.
Mizoram have been the toast of this year's nationals, steamrolling opponents more often than not en route the last-four stage. The North Eastern side has not only won all four of their Final Round matches from Group A but has also shown no mercy on its regional counterparts in the Zonals.
Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, have had a roller-coaster ride so far winning two and losing two in the final round. Finishing second in Group A with six points from 4 matches, the two-time finalists will look to exploit the only chink in Mizoram's armour, which has been their inexperience at this level.
H Vanthalthangla coached Mizoram's best performance is the final round appearance in the 2012 edition of the Santosh Trophy in Cuttack.
"Mizoram have been playing really well. They are very fast and have some fleet-footed players in their ranks. We have to bring all our experience into play against them and capitalise on our chances," Tamil Nadu coach CM Ranjith said.
"We have to counter them with our game plan. Technically they have the edge. If we can contain them in the first 20 minutes, it will be beneficial to us," added Ranjith.
The second semifinal of the day could be a battle of attrition in the middle of the park with both Railways and Maharashtra boasting of a strong midfield.
"It will be a touch and go affair," Maharashtra coach Irenio Vaz said.
"The battle will be won in midfield, I believe, as both teams are very strong in the middle. Railways are a very good side. I have been watching them for the last three games and they play a good game. I feel we have a slight advantage in defense but all that can go haywire on the given day," Vaz added.
