xtratime Logo

Nikhil Pujari ruled out of the derby

[caption id="attachment_41256" align="aligncenter" width="580"] East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan in talks with his assistant Warren Hackett. Image Source: XtraTime[/caption] Kolkata: East Bengal will look to maintain their unbeaten record over arch rivals Mohun Bagan outside Kolkata, when the two heavy weights meet each other in the return leg fixture of I League at Siliguri’s Kanchenjunga Stadium on Sunday. The Red and Golds have not lost to Mohun Bagan outside Kolkata in the last 16 years. The last time the Mariners got the better over East Bengal was in the Rovers Cup in 2000 through a goal scored by Amar Ganguly. Both teams settled for a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Kanchenjunga Stadium. East Bengal finds themselves in a must win situation in the derby. Trevor Morgan’s side will be under pressure due to the fact that they have lost their last two matches in I League against Churchill Brothers and Chennai City FC. The Red and Golds have secured 27 points from 14 matches while Mohun Bagan has collected 26 points from 13 matches. A loss in the derby will dash all the hopes of becoming the champion. “We can’t afford to lose it. If we lose the derby it would be very difficult to comeback. We have to make sure that we don’t get beaten. We are going there to win without a shade of a doubt.  At the same time we must remember we are still second in the league. Any team that shows consistency in the last four matches will have the last laugh,” said Morgan to the reporters in Kolkata after the practice session today. The Red and Gold players will be reaching Siliguri in the evening today. On the team news, all the 20 players picked are available for the derby. It means Haiti international Wedson Anselme and Robin Singh is fit. Robin has a slight groin strain but will be okay for the match on Sunday. Wedson’s compatriot Sony Norde might prove to be the biggest threat in the derby. On being asked to comment about Norde’s presence, Morgan made it clear that he has no specific plans for the Haitian marksman. According to Morgan, “No, we do not have any specific plans for Norde. Rahul’s (Bheke) looked after him well the last time we played against each other.  Rahul is a good defender. People have to win personal battles. It’s eleven versus eleven. Sony Norde is not four players. But no doubt he (Sony) is a great player but it will be a challenge for Rahul to step up and take the challenge of stopping him.” The top officials of the club were at the club grounds to encourage the players. According to football secretary Santosh Bhattacharya, “We had a word with the players and coach today. Our coach is very optimistic about a positive result in derby. The scenario of the league will change if we can win the derby. It is anybody’s game. Whoever keeps their temperament will come as winner.” Morgan does not share the same view as his football secretary. According to the gaffer, “The result of the derby will not decide the fate of I League. Even if we winon Sunday, we go four points clear of Mohun Bagan. They have played one game less than us. But we also have to wait for the results of Aizawl matches.  But come the Sunday night, we hope for a turnaround in our fortunes. If we can manage to get three points, we will put enormous pressure on the other two teams in the running for the League.” The gaffer very well knows it will be a litmus test as far as his coaching career is concerned. He looks to be pretty relaxed 48 hours before the derby. “No, I am not playing. So, I am not under any pressure. It is a huge game for the supporters. Any game in this league has been fifty-fifty. The favourites have been beaten and the under-dogs have snatched points. Whatever it is, we have got to go out there, be brave, be courageous, have pride in wearing that shirt and give it everything we have got,” signed off Morgan. East Bengal (Team): Abinash Ruidas, Mehtab Singh, Mehtab Hossain, Robin Singh, Rahul Bheke, Subhasis Roychowdhury, Bikash Jairu, Wedson Anselme, Gurwinder Singh, Narayan Das, Robert, Romei Fernandes, TP Rehenesh, Ivan Bukenya, Willis Plaza, Didika Ralte, Robin Gurung, Rowlin Borges, Telem Jackichand Singh, Chris Payen Baden