Kolkata: It will be a dress rehearsal ahead of the Federation Cup final as Mohun Bagan takes on Bengaluru FC in a Group E AFC Cup encounter at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium here on Wednesday. Both sides will now meet each other for the sixth time in the season. Mohun Bagan Coach Sanjay Sen rightly said, “We have met eachother five times. We play the final of the Federation Cup again on Sunday. Sometimes it gets boring to play the same team over and over again. But we have to play. So we have to focus on the game and try and win the match.”
While Bengaluru FC has already sealed the top spot in Group E, Mariners on the other hand do not have any stake as they have failed to qualify for the next round.
The Blues will be without their captain Sunil Chhetri who has injured himself in the match against DSK Shivajians. Albert Roca’s side will be without their central defender John Johnson as well. Harmajyot Singh Khabra and midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh will not be available for the clash as they are serving suspension.
Bagan too have some injury worries with Anas Edathodika struggling with a back injury and Pranay Halder already ruled out.
The hosts will be high on confidence after their 2-0 victory over arch-rivals East Bengal in the semi-final.
The green and maroon brigade topped Group B with seven points from three matches and an unbeaten record while Bengaluru finished behind them having four points from three outings.
Talking about tomorrow’s match Sanjay Sen said, “We are thinking of the final. We are thinking about tomorrow’s match against Bengaluru FC. The motivation is to win the match and keep the momentum.”
Bengaluru FC Coach Albert Roca is not too pleased with the match schedule. It has already taken its toll on the players as they will be playing their fifth match in 8 days.
“This will be our fifth game in 8 days and it’s a situation we have to manage. The heat in Cuttack has taken a lot out of the squad and it was only fair that some of the boys get time to recover before the final.Wednesday’s AFC Cup game is a great chance for the other boys on the squad who have been thorough professionals and have put their hand up whenever the team has needed them.”
Talking about the match coming up against Mohun Bagan tomorrow ahead of the Fed Cup final, Roca said,
“No matter what squad Mohun Bagan or we decide to go with, I have no illusions of this game being one where we can afford to take our foot off the pedal. The conditions will be tougher for us and I’m confident that the boys will make the most of the experience.”
He also added, “Bagan have always been tough competitors and both the clubs are always fighting for titles. The younger players on the team have a point to prove to me and I’m looking forward to a good show.”
Last time the two teams met each other in the group stages of Federation Cup, the result was a tame 1-1 draw. The Blues however have a better record against their fancied opponents ahead of the AFC Cup clash, having got the better of them in the first leg meeting. Bengaluru FC won 2-1 while the Mariners thrashed them at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium 3-0 in the I-League .