Internet Desk: East Bengal is all set to face DSK Shivajians on Sunday at Pune. It is all likely that Korean Missile Do Dong Hyun will start in the starting xi after quite a while. Biswajit has also hinted of quite a few other changes like Saumik Dey may replace Narayan Das who was out of touch last match against Salgaocar. Tulunga may also start in the flanks replacing Jairu and Dong replacing Sanju. Rehenesh may also get a start under the bars and he will make way for Luis Barreto. Mohammed Rafique has a slight strain in his neck but he will play tomorrow.
Biswajit Bhattacharya, later quoted as saying, “We are desperate to win tomorrow. Goal margin is not a big issue tomorrow. I need 3 points tomorrow. Likewise, I have set my game plan.”
However, since the last five matches (2 away and 3 at home), DSK Shivajians FC have upped themselves in and scored consecutively in all and have yielded points in three games (3 points v/s Mumbai FC and 1 each from 2 games v/s SLFC). Leading from the front is Cameroonian striker and skipper Aser Perrick Dipanda, who netted four goals in his last three matches.
In fact, Perrick’s efforts have helped earn the hosts five points at home.
Talking about the recent upturn in form, Coach Derrick Pereira said: “It is a positive sign that we have scored consecutively in the past five matches. We have improved quite a lot, but there is room to get even better. Another positive is that we have a full squad, except Justin, who will be out till next match through injury.”
Adding punch to the attack is Juan Quero, the former Real Madrid Academy player, who has provided two assists in the three matches he has played.
Meanwhile, both Subrata Paul and new signing SandeshJhingan will undergo late fitness tests to determine whether they will play against East Bengal or not.
The visitors, who arrived Thursday, go into the game on the back of a 1-3 loss they suffered to Salgaocar FC. For the hosts, the result shall be reason enough to exploit and gain from by pushing for advantage, but in similar vein will need to be cautious of any backlash from the visitors. “We will need to play well because East Bengal are coming back from a loss,” Derrick quipped.
The Kolkata-based club is third on the table with 17 points in their kitty.
The other advantage that DSK Shivajians FC will look to encash is the not-so-impressive run that their counterparts have in their away games. KEB have won 1 game, drawn 2 and suffered 1 loss in the 4 games they have played. Likewise, KEB have struggled overall; scoring 5 goals and conceded as many when on the road.
Looking to pile upon East Bengal’s travelling woes, Pereira added: “We would need to create more chances and score more. We have also worked on attacking and defending set pieces. I want my team to do well in the league, and for me, top half of the table is the target.East Bengal is a strong team, but we are prepared for them. We hope to have a good match against them.”
In another match, Sporting Clube de Goa will host Bengaluru FC tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Salgaocar FC and Mumbai FC played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in an I-League encounter at the Tilak Maidan, in Vasco, on Saturday. Salgaocar FC had the lead twice in the game, first through Jackichand Singh (23’) and in the second half though Brain Mascarenhas (49’). However, Mumbai FC came back twice through two penalties, with Sushil Singh (38’) and Ryuki Kozawa (65’) dispatching them.