Kolkata : With less than 24 hours to go for the derby , East Bengal coach Biswajit Bhattacharya is still undecided on how to use his Korean weapon Do Dong Hyun . The withdrawal forward is still to regain his full fitness . Although Dong took part in the practice session but East Bengal gaffer has still not made up his mind whether to use him in the first half or during the second half . “ He is definitely available for the derby . But I have to discuss with my assistant coaches Debjit and Sammy before taking a call on Dong . We are still in a dilemma whether to field him in the first half or during second half .”
There is a possibility of Dong coming in the second half . Dong himself looked quite cheerful at the practice session . The Korean who immediately burst into limelight after scoring a brace in his first derby during the Kolkata League derby . He was seen polishing his weapon i.e., practicing set piece movements . In fact the Korean scored both his goals from freekick in the Kolkata League derby . East Bengal will be banking on Dong’s deadly freekicks tomorrow .
East Bengal will be handicapped with injuries to key footballers in the side . Gurwinder Singh and Sehnaj Singh have already been ruled out . Adding to the woes , Harmanjot Singh Khabra have an abrasion on his feet which is yet to recover fully . Biswajit Bhattacharya cleared the air regarding the fitness of Harmanjot Khabra .
Cavin Lobo , who was injured as well have started to train recently . The Goanese midfielder took part in the practice session of the team and later expressed his willingness to be part of the team for Saturday’s all important match against the arch rivals .
East Bengal were dented a huge blow with the prospect of presenting French international Bernard Mendy for Saturday’s derby . According to coach Biswajit Bhattacharya ,“ Even if he arrive tomorrow , he will not be kept in the squad . The club officials have also given their consent to not risk him in the derby as he will be having a jet lag . Most importantly he will find it difficult to adjust since he have not trained with the team .
East Bengal are two points behind Mohun Bagan after the first two rounds and Bhattacharya dismissed the suggestion they will go in as underdogs . “I don’t think Bagan are ahead but we know how important these three points are on Saturday . I do not feel we are lagging behind . It’s the media who are putting the favourites tag mark on Mohun Bagan . ” he concluded.
On being asked his defenders will have a tough time handling the likes of Mendy and Norde , he commented “ Mohun Bagan as a team looks more balanced with quality players in each department . No doubt they are a better team on paper . ”
The gaffer also negated the disadvantage many believe East Bengal will have going in with only three foreigners against Mohun Bagans four .
East Bengal will have to rely on the experienced Ranty Martins for goals . Ranty , who made his derby debut last season in Kolkata League have scored 3 goals in 3 derby so far including a one he scored in the I League derby last season .
The Nigerian have similar views with Mohun Bagan coach Sanjay Sen “ Both the derby will be different . Mohun Bagan have got a lot of variation this time round . You cannot mix the I League derby with the local derby .”
Ranty will be up against Brazilian Luciano who will marshall the Mohun Bagan defence . Can he go past Luciano in the derby ? The Nigerian shrugged off “ I am a firm believer of doing all the talking on the field “
On Luciano , Kingshuk – Everyone can see tomorrow . I am a firm believer of making it happen on the field rather than talking too much .”
Lastly East Bengal will be needing a collective effort as they prepare to face the arch rivals Mohun Bagan on Saturday .