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Lalrindika Ralte likely to get a start tomorrow

[caption id="attachment_34034" align="aligncenter" width="580"] East Bengal will face DSK Shivajians at the Balewadi Stadium on Saturday. Image Source: I-League[/caption] Internet Desk: Kolkata giants East Bengal will aim for an outright win when they take on hosts DSK Shivajians in the second round of Hero I-League football match at the Balewadi Stadium on Saturday. The Kolkata giants were held to a 1-1 draw with Aizawl FC in their opening match of the season at home, while their opponents Shivajians lost 0-1 to Mumbai FC. East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan was forced to play all his three new foreigners – Willis Plaza, Wedson Anselme and Ivan Bukenya as his side was trailing by a goal at the breather. The Kolkata outfit has travelled with a 22-man squad. The inclusion of prolific forward Robin Singh in the Red & Gold camp will boost the squad, highlights Trevor Morgan. “It is an important game for us. Last week we did not play to our full potential.” Morgan added, “Last time we trained with just one forward. This time in the training I had four strikers available.” On who will fill the role of an under-22 in the XI against DSK Shivajians on Saturday, Morgan said that there are two under-22 players in the team and it is to be seen who starts tomorrow. Attacking midfielder Lalrindika Ralte might start for the Red and Golds. The 24 year old Mizo footballer played only two matches in the entire I League last season owing to an injury. He was part of the Indian Super League (ISL) champion side Atletico de Kolkata this season. He played 13 matches in the ISL and also scored a goal. It is very likely that he will make the first eleven in the game against Shivajians. Ralte expressed his confidence at the pre match press conference, “The team is ready and have improved in training on mistakes from the first match.” Coach Trevor also expressed the same pointing the improvement in the squad over the past four days in training. The last training session indicated that East Bengal might start with Willis Plaza and Robin Singh on the up front. There might be a change in the U22 choice as well, as Abinas Ruidas might get a start in place of Nikhil Poojary who had an average game against Aizwal FC in the opening game. Wedson Anselme too is all set to get his preferred position back on the right flank, leaving Mehtab and a fully fit Lalrindika Ralte in the middle. A significant change will be there in the defense as well. Ivan Bukenye, who pleased one and all in the opening game with his brief spell, might pair with Anwar Ali as Robin Gurung to replace Rahul Bheke and Narayan Das will retain his position on the left fullback position. Shivajians manager Dave Rogers is wary about his opponents tomorrow. According to Rogers, “It is an exciting (first home game). There are no easy games in this league and we will play against one of the most recognised and successful teams in India, which is great.” Meanwhile, the DSK manager hinted Indian Spiderman Subrata Pal might get a start tomorrow, but only tells, “he will train and will be assessed fortomorrow’s match”. Rogers purposefully expressed about the expectations from this season, “We don’t set targets. We look at progress. At the end of the season, we will look back and assess everything and see where we are.” As DSK Shivajians and East Bengal entered the field, both sides will have plenty to talk about on the football pitch. As neither side were able to get off to a positive result in their previous Hero I-League encounters. Probable line up: Rehnesh, Robin Gurung, Ivan Bukenye, Anwar Ali, Narayan Das, Wedson Anselme, Mehtab Hossain, Lalrindika Ralte, Abinas Ruidas(U22), Willis Plaza, Robin Singh.