Derby Is for The Fans, I’m Here to Win Trophies: Sony Norde

Kolkata Derby Is Going to Witness the First Haitian Duel, Between Sony Norde and Wedson Anselme

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Derby is for the fans, I’m here to win trophies, says Sony Norde | Image: XtraTime

Kolkata: The Kolkata derby has become the clash of the first and the second team of the points table when they will meet each other on 12th February at Siliguri. The two most consistent teams in the Hero I-League 2017 will be trying to snatch the glory in the battle of pride.

The derby this time is full of spice as the occasion will have its first ever Haitian duel when good friends Sony Norde will come across Wedson Anselme, old rivals Trevor Morgan will come across his so-called ‘antidote’ Sanjoy Sen and two new foreign forwards Willis Plaza will lock horns with Darryl Duffy on the Super Sunday.

On Monday, Wedson told the media, “We are the favourites in the derby.” In reply, Sony said, “We are good friends, but I have won an I-League and Federation Cup here in the last two seasons. Let him do that for his club first, then compare him to me.” He also added, “The derby is important for the fans. I am here to win trophies.”

Mohun Bagan forward Balwant Singh missed a penalty kick last night against Colombo FC. The hardworking Punjabi lad is not depressed because he missed an opportunity to score ahead of the derby, but more in disbelief with the way he missed it. He told www.xtratime.in, “I have tried watching the penalty kick again and again. Still, couldn’t believe how I missed it. It is gnawing me a lot.”

Scottish forward Darryl Duffy, the leading goal scorer of the I-League, on the other hand, is ecstatic about Sony Norde. He said, “The goal which I scored last night against Colombo FC could have easily been scored by Sony himself. I saw it on YouTube and realized it. There lies the greatness of Sony, he is a complete team man and never selfish.” He added, “I have played with a lot of players in the past in Salgaocar but Sony is different.”

The Bagan coach too is very much circumspect about the derby. He said, “We will try to win the derby. But even if we fail, that won’t be the end of the road for us. East Bengal too won the derby last time. Did they win the I-League?” The Bagan gaffer is concerned as his central defenders have been suffering from injuries and which might lead the Mariners’ boss to go with Bikramjit Jr and Anas Edathodika in the central defence in the Kolkata derby.