xtratime Logo

Balwant Singh also ruled out for Aizawl FC tie

[caption id="attachment_35936" align="alignnone" width="580"] Sony Norde and Balwant Singh is likely to miss out Aizawl FC tie on Saturday. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption] Kolkata: Injury to key footballers will be a major concern for Mohun Bagan coach Sanjay Sen ahead of his team’s next I League tie against Aizawl FC at Rabindra Sarobar stadium on Saturday. Among the injured players, top among the list is Haiti marksman Sony Norde along with Balwant Singh, Raju Gaekwad, Eduardo Perreira and Kean Lewis. Norde, did not train with the team on on Friday and was seen busy doing rehab with the team physio. On being quizzed about the status of his injury, Norde said he wants to take a call only on match day. " I have more than 24 hours to take a decision. I am feeling some pain. Our coach suggested if I feel pain, it is better I take rest because the two games coming up are very important. He asked me to take rest and let him know how I feel tomorrow," said Norde to the reporters after practice on Friday. The Haiti international was not in the squad for Bagan's AFC Cup away leg match against Colombo FC last Tuesday. "He is struggling and there is a big question mark (on whether Norde will play or not)," Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen said. The gaffer is dogged with injuries to key players. "This is the first time during my stint with Mohun Bagan that we have injuries in so many positions besides the goalkeeper," Sen added. Bagan coach will be relieved with Pronay Halder and Kingshuk Debnath returning from injuries. With Norde likely to miss out in tomorrow’s tie, the onus will be on the strike pair of Duffy and Jeje to score goals tomorrow. “It’s going to be a very tough match because they are on 13 points as well. We watched their video and feel they are a very good side. It will be very difficult for us,” said Duffy. He further added, “Every match in the I League is important because there is not much difference among the top four teams. East Bengal, Aizawl not losing points is making our work even more difficult as we cannot lose points. We need to get the maximum points from our home matches.” On being asked about Norde’s injury, Duffy said, “We played without him (Norde) in the first couple of matches. A player of his caliber will always be missed if he is not playing. But if he is not available, we have to give our best without him.” The North East side will be without their key midfielder Mahmoud Al Amnah. "We are ready for the match and we are not taking anything lightly. We will take a call on Mahmoud Amnah who has a toe injury. He may or may not start," said Aizawl FC coach Khalid Jamil. Mohun Bagan (Probable XI) : Debjit Majumder, Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika, Kingshuk Debnath/Bikramjit, Subhasish Bose, Katsumi Yuasa, Souvik Chakraborty, Shehnaz Singh, Prabir Das, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Darryl Duffy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdrHGFEeTnA