Sports
Leaders Mohun Bagan seek I-League dominance in Kolkata derby (Preview)
Kolkata, March 27
Table toppers Mohun Bagan
would be keen to extend their dominance in the I-League football
competition when they meet traditional rivals East Bengal in the return
leg of the Kolkata derby at the Salt Lake stadium on Saturday.
The
last time when the two teams met in February, they played out a 1-1
draw in front of a sparsely filled stadium, very uncharacteristic of a
match between the two city giants whose rivalry even features in world
football governing body FIFA's classic derby list.
But this time a
lot more fans are expected to flock to the ground as the match would be
played on a weekend. And with Mohun Bagan leading the points standings
and also hosting the match, green and maroon supporters are expected to
outnumber their red and gold counterparts in the stands.
The home
team has taken several novel initiatives to bring back the fans to the
ground. They would introduce a "Hospitality Zone" section with the best
view of the field accompanied by a gourmet menu and fridge stocked with
premium beverages for the zone. Mineral water and high tea would also be
served for the 4.30 pm kick-off.
The menu includes fried bhetki
fish, sandwiches (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), sandesh from the
reknowned sweet shop "Nakurs" and coffee.
At the entrance to the
zone, roses would be distributed to the spectators. Prices for these
premium tickets are pegged at Rs 1,000.
Mohun Bagan are coming
into the contest in the backdrop of a 2-0 win against Goan club Dempo SC
while East Bengal had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Sporting Clube
De Goa after surrendering a two-goal advantage.
It would be East
Bengal's new Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie's first derby and he has the
unenviable task of stopping the Mohun Bagan juggernaut. The Mariners, as
Mohun Bagan are fondly called, are unbeaten in the tournament so far,
collecting eighteen points from eight matches.
Schattorie's woes
are certainly not limited to worrying about the opposition as his team's
form has been scratchy since he took over, lying fifth on the
leaderboard with 13 points from eight matches.
Schattorie's
primary task would be to find a way to stop a rampaging Mohun Bagan
attack led by the talented foreigner trio of Katsumi Yusa, Sony Norde
and Pierre Boya.
He would, however, draw confidence from the fact
that Mohun Bagan have failed to beat East Bengal in the last six
I-League encounters, the latter winning twice.
Mohun Bagan winger Sony Norde was confident of his team's chances in the match.
"I
am feeling more confident for the upcoming derby match and the
confidence of the team is high as we have started on a winning note by
defeating a good side like Dempo, after a two-week break; a derby match
is a very different game and we have to play to our potential to win,"
said Norde.
But Mohun Bagan, despite being well placed, too have concerns with their first choice back-line unavailable for varied reasons.
Nigerian Bello Rasaq is doubtful with a nagging ankle injury while Dhanachandra Singh nurses a hamstring pull.
Another
rearguard Shouvik Ghosh is also carrying an injury while Pritam Kotal
is away on national duty with the India Under-23 team.
In their
absence, Anwar Ali is likely to play in central defence with Sukhen Dey
and Kingshuk Debnath occupying the wing-back positions. Their battle
against East Bengal's attacking Nigerian duo of Ranti Martins and Dudu
Omagbemi could determine the outcome of the match.
Martins was cautiously optimistic about his team's performance in the match.
"A
derby is always difficult and is not easy for any of the teams. We both
have the fighting spirit, and I don't think Mohun Bagan are going to be
easy to face against," Martins said on Friday.
"They are a very
difficult side. However, like I said, a win is always what we are
looking for, but more than winning it is going to be how we play. We are
going to play well and hopefully dominate the ball possession and
execute more creative pl