I League : Norde to miss Bagan’s first match against Aizwal FC

Soni-NordeKolkata , December 23 : Defending champions Mohun Bagan will be without the service of  star international player Soni Norde in the first match of the I league against debutants Aizwal FC . The Haitian international will be busy doing national duties as they have a match against Trinidad & Tobago on January 8 . Norde will be arriving in the city most likely on January 10 , which means he will be available for Bagan’s next match against Salgaokar at the Salt Lake Stadium on January 16 . With Trinidadian world cupper Cornell Glen in their ranks , coach Sanjay Sen will be hoping to reap high dividends up front when Norde join him . While the club is waiting eagerly for Norde to join the team , it’s not good news for Norde’s compatriot Judelin Aveska . According to club sources the officials are  in talks with FC Goa defender Luciano Sabrosa . If things fall in place , the Brazilian might replace Aveska in the defence . Meanwhile the Bagan officials are confident to host the derby at the Salt Lake Stadium on January 23  . According to finance secretary of the club  Debasis Dutta , “ We are quite hopeful of hosting the derby at the Salt Lake stadium  , as the state sports minister Arup Biswas wants to have the first I League derby at the venue . Both chief minister and sports minster being sports lovers , would definitely not want the football crazy fans get deprived of watching their favourite clubs confront each other in the first derby of the I League .” Mr Dutta on being asked whether they are happy with the team  this season , he sounded alarm bells saying ,“ Mohun Bagan build team to become champions . No one is indispensable in this team , as performance will be the last criteria for judging the success of the team .”

Sanjay Sen’s boys had a practice match against BSF North Bengal today at the club grounds . Cornell Glen scored the only goal through a penalty received in the 12th minute of the match .