Kolkata: Title contenders, East Bengal is really very unhappy with a decision of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Earlier they were scheduled to face Shillong Lajong on March 4, but last week the parent body of Indian football changed the date to 5th March. The Red & Gold management doesn’t like this decision as they will again have to face another top side Neroca FC at home on March 8. Here after playing against Shillong on March 5 the team has to return on 6 and then they will have to practice on March 7 and play their most crucial game on the next day without any rest. On the other hand another title contender Minerva will play their last game on April 8 after almost 6 days of rest. The East Bengal officials have wrote a letter to the AIFF regarding this matter but they haven’t received any answer yet.
Meanwhile, after beating the Chennai City FC 7-1 on Saturday, East Bengal team did their practice session today as well in a calm mood.
After the practice session, hero of the last game, Dudu Omagbemi said,” The four goals are past now. If we don’t win our next two games nobody will remember these things.”
The Red & Gold gaffer said the same thing today,” Shillong is a tough opponent and we have to play at high altitude which would be very tough. The next two games will be like semifinal and final to us, but one should understand nobody remember the semifinalist. If you become a champion everyone will talk about you.”
East Bengal will leave Kolkata on April 2 to face Shillong Lajong for their next encounter. On being asked about the matter East Bengal’s midfield maestro Mahmoud Al Amna said,” We have to win our next two games at any cost.”
But the Red & Gold defence will miss their ace Brazilian defender Eduardo Ferriera in their crucial away game. While answering about this matter Khalid Jamil said,” Edu have played all the games for us. The team will definitely miss him against Lajong. Gurwinder is there and now we have to chose Arnab or Salam in his place.”