Kolkata: Despite of his injury Sony Norde will be featuring in the starting xi against Shillong Lajong FC on Wednesday. Sony has injured his ankle while playing against Bengaluru FC. Mohun bagan won the match 2-0. The winger however later confirmed his availability. “I will start for Mohun Bagan but will not be playing the full 90 minutes as my ankle is badly injured.” Sony was seen limping today at the practice but he completed the full practice session.
Sony later quoted as saying,” I have informed the coach today about my unavailability for the full 90 minutes.”
On being asked why he is taking risk by playing the Lajong FC match with an ankle injury as there are more matches coming up, Sony replied with a smiling face, “ I want Mohun Bagan to win. Nothing tastes sweeter than a victory. If we can collect three points from this match we will be in a good position. Frankly speaking, when I get on the field wearing that Green and Maroon jersey nothing comes in my mind.”
Not only Sony Norde but Mohun Bagan has some other injuries and card issues ahead of the Lajong match. Brandon Fernandes has a slight niggle. Pronay Halder has accumulated 3 yellow cards which restricts him from playing this match. Luciano too has 3 yellow cards but Sanjoy Sen has no other option but to play him as he does not have any option in the defensive line. As the South Asian Games are over, U-22 rule will be resuming. So, Sanjoy Sen is planning to include Sarthok Golui in the playing xi for the opening 5 minutes and then he might be replaced with Souvik Chakraborty as it seems in the training today.
Sanjoy Sen was later quoted as saying,” All the remaining 10 matches are equally important for us. Specially, I am looking forward for the next two matches as we can review ourselves then.”
On asking Sanjoy about Lajong’s 4-0 rout against East Bengal few days back, how is your team preparing themselves, the gaffer replied,” Lajong is a good side. They have India’s best player in the dead ball situation, Boithang Haokip as well as experienced foreigners in the likes of Penn Orji and Uilliams.
Cornell Glen, who has played for lajong earlier, sounds confident,”We have the best Indian players in the I-league which releases the pressure from the foreigners.”
Thangboi Singto, Lajong FC head coach said,” Mohun Bagan is a very good side. I know the strength and weakness of Glen and will plan accordingly against him. But Mohun Bagan is not about only Glen.We need to play as an unit.”