Kolkata: The concern was there, the speculations too, East Bengal’s in-form central defender Anwar Ali is most likely out of the big clash against Bengaluru FC on Sunday. The Punjabi defender has become a main stay in the Red & Gold defense since Arnab Mondal, the Indian international had suffered an injury. Today, after the training session Anwar said, “East Bengal’s doctor Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta checked my injury and asked me to take 3-4 days rest at least. It was a strain in the groin”. Anwar came in the training session in the casuals and didn’t train at all. The good news for the Red and Gold fans is that Arnab has started his training today after the surgery and looked a lot more comfortable.
East Bengal called their two young defenders Mehtab Singh and Kousik Sarkar as the later was sent on loan with a return back clause to Chennai City FC and called back immediately as the central defense is a big concern for the East Bengal gaffer against BFC. After the training, the gaffer said, “Well, we have looked into all the possible options this morning in the central defense, We have done a lot of defensive work this morning. We have seen all the defenders whom we have in the back four. We are travelling with a twenty-men squad on tomorrow morning at Barasat. We’ll take a call there only.”
East Bengal gave rest to few of their players like Mehtab Hossain and David Lalrinmuana from the training. Mehtab had some stretching drills before leaving while David was in complete rest. Goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury has been New Delhi for playing his office games.
The East Bengal coach worked tirelessly hard this morning and tried to shape his team in the best possible way with his deputy Warren Hackett. Abinas Ruidas and VP Suhair were seen delivering the crosses from the left, while Romeo Fernandes and Jackichand Sing were delivering the crosses from the right for the likes of Cavin Lobo, Rowllin Borges and Md.Rafique. The foreigners trained separately as Kyrgyz International Ildar Amirov was the point of attraction. Trevor said, “Amirov has come from -15 degrees to this heat but he seemed okay. He needs time to adjust. Will take call on him after tomorrow’s training.”
Bengaluru FC’s newly signed Honduras international Roby Norales had made a serious impact since he joined the Blues, but Trevor doesn’t want to give any individual importance. He said, “We don’t wanna give any individual importance to anyone. We have certain plans for this game. Bengaluru has been a decent side and they have done a remarkable job so far in Indian football. It will be a good game for sure.”