New Delhi: A settled squad with in-form striker Eduardo Escobar up front gives JCT a slight edge over Mahindra United in what promises to be a mouth-watering contest in the first semi-final of the Osian's 121st Durand Cup football tournament in New Delhi on Thursday.
In the second semi-final, defending champions Churchill Brothers will take on Sporting Clube de Goa in an all-Goan derby on Friday.
Going by present form, Sukhwinder Singh's boys at JCT look more settled than the rest. They have learnt to cope with the loss of India players Sunil Chhetri and Renedy Singh and having retained most of the squad from last season, they seem better prepared in the run-up to the I-League.
The Mumbai giants are not to be discounted either. Coach Derrick Pereira too have managed to retain last season's players and though the future of Steven Dias and N P Pradeep still hangs in balance, indications are that they would after all have to turn out for Mahindra United.
In their absence, it is the midfield that look a trifle unsettled. The right flank that Steven made his own for club and country, looks deserted and though the coach has been experimenting with Manjit Singh, Mohammad Rafi and Paresh Shivalkar, he has not found much success.
But in Chidi the coach has found someone who is lethal in front of goal.
Providing him service will be key to Mahindra United's fortunes.
Having played three matches in five days in the capital's searing heat, there was hardly any recovery period for Mahindra United.
"That was why I kept some of my key players on the bench yesterday against Churchill Brothers," Derrick said.
JCT too went through the same grind but will consider themselves lucky to have got a couple of days' rest before the semi-finals compared to Mahindra United, who had only one.
For the team from Phagwara, striker Eduardo Escobar holds the key. He has got great vision and his ability to finish off with both feet makes him a difficult customer to deal with.
"We have to be on our guard against Eduardo," Derrick admitted.
Sukhwinder's side also has some talented youngsters in Baljit Sahni, Baldeep Singh (both senior and junior) and India defender Anwar. They not only provide the physical edge but also possess plenty of pace and skill to trouble Mahindra United. However, Baldeep senior has an ankle injury and is doubtful for Thursday's game.
JCT had a two-month pre-season and that showed in the way they combined as a team, winning all their quarter-final group league matches.
"We didn't have that many practice matches so the Durand Cup will help us in that aspect," Sukhwinder opined.
Both coaches are banking on team spirit to see them through and with the match being held in the evening, it promises a rivetting contest.
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