MAKING A RETURN in the I-League after being excluded for 2 seasons, Churchill Brothers will try to live up to the expectations of the Goan fans, said Keenan Almeida.
Almeida, a local player who has played in Goan clubs all his life, has joined Churchill Brothers for the first time after Dempo, Sporting Clube de Goa and Salgaocar pulled out of the I-League earlier this year.
Speaking at a New Delhi event launching the I-League 2016-17, he said,
"Churchill Brothers have been a powerhouse of Indian football, and after a few years of being out of the I-League we're back now. And we're going going to be the only team from Goa, so there's a lot of expectations from the supporters in Goa. So we'll try our best to live up to their expectations."
When asked what approach Churchill will adopt on their first top division appearance in 3 years, he said it would have to be pragmatic and elastic,
"The Goans prefer attacking football but everything depends on the situation in the match. So we have to adjust accordingly."
Churchill Brothers will face a tough challenge when they start their campaign away from home against Mohun Bagan on Sunday, 8th January. Their first home game is on 15th January, against Mumbai FC.