Sabyasachi Bagchi, Siliguri: East Bengal’s old war-horse Mehtab Hossain has urged his team-mates to prove their critics wrong by putting up an inspired performance in the derby tomorrow. Mehtab, who has been part of many memorable derby wins for the club, wants to see his team-mates giving a last ditch effort for the title.
“We know we have not done well in the last two matches against Churchill and Chennai. It is our responsibility now to go out in the middle and prove our critics wrong,” said Mehtab to the reporters ahead of Sunday’s mouth watering derby.
The mid-field general for East Bengal may well play his last derby for East Bengal if his team fail to win tomorrow. According to Mehtab, “I have made it very clear at the beginning of the season that this will be my last season for East Bengal if I do not win the I League. Although I will stop playing in the Red and Gold jersey but my association with the club will not finish as I have been a life member of the club. If we win (I League) I might continue playing for the club, but any other result will certainly see the end of my long standing association with the club.”
Coach Trevor Morgan has heaped huge praises on his mid-field general. According to Morgan, “Mehtab has been a fantastic player for East Bengal. And we must all ensure that we do not let him down. That’s his personal decision and I hope he finish off the season in style.”
East Bengal started off well in the I League, winning 6 matches at a stretch. But an unexpected loss at home to Churchill Brothers and debutants Chennai City FC dashed their hopes.
“We started off well in the season but lost our way in the middle. It was all going smoothly for me and the club. But a couple of bad games changed the scenario with lots of criticism and blame games,” commented Mehtab.
Speaking on his contract with the club, Mehtab said, “My contract with the club ends after this season. I made up my mind that it will be my last season for the club if we do not win the I League. We have come close to winning the coveted trophy on more than one occasion but luck has not favoured us. If the club wins the I League in future, there will be no happier person than me. This (East Bengal) club has become like a family to me, although I played for four years in Mohun Bagan. I have spent the best phase of my career (played for 10 years) in this club.”
Mehtab also stood by the side of his teammates specially goalkeeper Rehenesh. The goalkeeper has been targeted by a section of the fans for letting the team down in the match against Chennai City FC and Churchill Brothers.
“Every human makes a mistake in his life. He was the Man of the Match in the last derby. We were all cheering him when the team was doing well, but every individual has a bad day at office. After all football is a team game. You cannot single out an individual. We should take the responsibility for the loss against Chennai. Mohun Bagan also faced a similar situation few seasons back when things were not going well in their favour.”