Home side Mohun Bagan and Goan powerhouse Churchill Brothers are set to renew their rivalry in the 114th IFA Shield final.

By Garima Verma

Football is all about finding a way. Both Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers have their own problems going into the final at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday but both sides are already trying to get the best out of their available resources.

While Karim Bencherifa's Bagan will be without prolific striker Chidi Edeh, Churchill coach Alberto Carlos Pereira is still worried about his side's fitness.

Both are, however, focusing on the positives amid adversities.

"I am definitely afraid going into the final. There is so much focus on us. And, not all of that is regarding our on-field exploits. People are more interested in our off-field matters (read Bhaichung Bhutia issue). We are always under a scanner. It becomes difficult for the team to focus entirely on the game," Karim said.

In pics: Players warm-up on the eve of the final

"Moreover Chidi is a big blow. But we'll figure out ways to not let that become an excuse."

The 21-time IFA Shield champions, Bagan, will be trying to make good of their home advantage and look to ride on the crowd's support. Churchill, meanwhile, will be bolstered by the return of their match-winning forward and skipper Odafe Onyeka Okolie.

"We are not looking at the advantage factor. We went into the semi-final without Odafe and managed to win. Bagan are a tough opposition anytime," Pereira said.

Churchill goalkeeper Arindam Bhattachraya also dismissed any advantage for his side.

"They might be missing Chidi but a football match is always anybody's game. It's still 50-50. I don't think we are going into the match with a huge advantage," he said.

Pereira said, "Every team has some problems at some time. We have a few problems. Bagan also have some problems.

"Our fitness is still not up to the mark. It is, though, getting better with each match. We have played three matches in the tournament so far, the boys are slowly getting back to complete fitness," he added.

"But it's always a tough match against the home side."

Karim, meanwhile, is also banking on his acquaintance with the opposition to come handy in the contest. "I know the Churchill team very well. I have coached these boys for some years," Karim said.

"The Churchill boys have tremendous respect for me so I am sure it'll be a fair play. I'd be wishing them also the luck."

With both the semi-finals having been settled in the tie-breaker, the final could be another down-to-wire chapter in Bagan and Churchill's newly-founded rivalry.

Churchill had won the I-League, with Bagan finishing runners-up after a long catch-up job. Bagan then got the better of the Goan side in the Super Cup.

Karim, however, has no worries in the tie-breaker area, especially after Sangram Mukherjee did the job perfectly in the semi-final.

Pereira, though acknowledges Sangram's feat, he is banking on his custodian Arindam to see them through in that situation. "We aren't scared of the penalty shootout. Sangram did a wonderful job for them and even Shilton Paul was good. But we have an excellent goalkeeper in Arindam too," Pereira said.

Arindam, meanwhile, is sure that he and his Bagan counterpart in the box will have a busy day on Saturday. "Goal to bahut hoga. Idhar bhi hoga or udhar bhi hoga. (There will many goals on both the sides in the match.) We'll definitely be trying to finish the match in 90 minutes," he said.

"But even if it stretches till the penalty shootout, I am ready for that too."