After a shocking opening 0-1 defeat at the hands of newbies Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), JCT will have their plates full when they take on Churchill Brothers at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium today.
On a positive note, the Phagwara side were the stronger of the two in their I-League opener, dominating possession and creating chances but were unlucky to cancel out Xavier Vijay Kumar's 13th minute strike.
"We didn't play badly but yes, we began on a nervous note. We didn't take advantage of our possession and in the second half we had numerous chances but failed to score," said JCT coach Parminder Singh.
Churchill too began with a difficult 1-1 draw against fellow Goans, Dempo, who took a 58th lead through Clifton Gonsalves. It was only an 86th minute Okolie Odafa strike which brought Churchill on level terms and it is the Nigerian who will be the man to stop for JCT, who had done well to keep the striker in check when the two sides faced off in the Durand Cup semifinal. JCT had won by a single goal.
"Our strategy worked in Durand and I'm hopeful that it will work again," said Singh.
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