NEW DELHI, February 25: Odds favour East Bengal as they take on holders JCT (Phagwara) in their crucial Philips Natonal Football League match here on Thursday.East Bengal, with 18 points from 11 matches, will have to beat JCT if they want to stay in the race for the title.For JCT who are already out of race with only 16 points from 13 matches, things have further worsened with their star strikers Stephen Abarowei and Seriki Abdulatif out for tomorrow's match. Abrowei has to sit out as he has received two yellow cards while Seriki is injured. JCT will also not have the services of Tarsem Lal, who had to rush home because of his mother's death, and Ram Pal due to injury.
East Bengal will miss striker Humphery Jebba who is injured and Somatai Shaiza has also not fully recovered.So far, JCT have not done well in their home matches in which they have only one win to their credit. The absence of Abrowei will be felt as the Nigeran striker scored a goal each in the last two matches.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
