Semboi Haokip likely to miss the opener as he is yet to join practice
Kolkata: The much awaited I-League 2017 has turned out to be a “now or never” mission for the East Bengal supporters across the globe and the officials too have been trying their best to build a side which could lead the Red and Gold brigade to clinch the first ever I-League title. Starting from recruiting the pool of the domestic players and to sweating it hard in the training sessions, the desperation in the Red and Gold camp is vivid everywhere. But still, when it’s about three days to go for the league to begin, the East Bengal gaffer Trevor Morgan is still struggling to choose a lethal first XI as he has only a single foreigner available in the training and the star Indian forward Semboi Haokip is yet to arrive.
It has become a point of concern for Trevor Morgan as well to select a potent combination upfront against Aizawl FC in the league opener as he is not getting the service of his probable striking duo of Willis Plaza and Semboi Haokip in the first game. If today’s training is an indication, then it seems that it will be the young VP Suhair, who would be the lone forward for East Bengal at Barasat. Trevor said, “I haven’t got any information about Plaza and Bukaneya since they left their countries but that is not on my hands, we are getting ready.” He added, “I expected Haokip to join us yesterday. I heard he had some reasons for the delay and I am receptive to that.” At the same time the gaffer reminded, “All I can say is that Haokip has missed the opportunity to play in our opening game.”
East Bengal is yet to announce the name of their fourth foreigner but Trevor said, “We are in advanced talks with our target and I hope we can announce his name later today.”
The Red & Gold gaffer is consulting with his attacking midfielder David Lalrinmuana who came from Aizawl FC this season to get the notion about the highlanders ahead of their opening game. Trevor said, “They have a new coach, new set of foreigners and I am taking the help of David to know about their Indian players.”
With Arnab Mondal is nursing an injury and Bukaneya is yet to arrive, East Bengal gaffer is likely to start with Gurwinder Singh and Anwar Ali in the central defence. The East Bengal coach backed his choice as well by saying, “Both of them is well experienced, they played in the I-League and ISL and I believe they will do their job well.”
The British Coach may have a lot of issues as impediments, but his usual professionalism is giving his side the confidence it needs to start the campaign in a positive fashion.