Internet Desk : Mohun Bagan will look to salvage full points against Mumbai FC tomorrow in an I League match at Cooperage . The defending champions will be up against a strong Mumbai FC squad playing at their home. The side from Mumbai though will be coming back after a 0-1 loss against DSK Shivajians .
Defending champions Bagan, who are currently placed third in the league table with 10 points from four games, will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run in the blue riband tourney.
For Mohun Bagan, the return of Trinidad and Tobago World Cupper Cornel Glenn in the playing XI after missing out the match against Chinese side Shandong Luneng, which the green and maroon brigade lost 0-6, will be a big boost. Glenn did not play that game due to visa-related issues.
With four goals in as many matches, the striker would be itching to add more goals to his tally although he will not have Balwant Singh for company upfront. Balwant is still recovering from a shin bone injury.
However, with Sony Norde operating down wide left and in -form Jeje Lalpheklhua lurking in the 18-yard box, Mumbai FC will expect to have a tough time.
The advantage for both Bagan and Mumbai FC will be the AIFF rules that allow them to field a side without the mandatory U-22 players.
The U-22 players are exempted for next two rounds due to South Asian Games. Bagan will miss their side back Pritam Kotal.
Bagan coach Sanjay Sen is aware of their recent outings with Mumbai FC . Last season in I League Khalid Jamil’s side managed a draw against Mohun Bagan at Cooperage . Bagan coach Sanjay Sen would not like to see a repeat of that result. “ It’s true , Kolkata teams does struggle against Mumbai FC .
We drew with them last season 1-1 . It is tough for any sides to get points at Cooperage .”
Bagan gaffer is wary about Mumbai FC’rough and tough football. “ They mainly prefer playing destructive football . Since Cooperage ground is very small compared to other grounds in India, the Mumbai FC footballers close the goal mouth by putting in more legs at the back. The strategy adopted by Khalid Jamil has so far worked in his favor. ”
The side from Mumbai is even more balanced at least on paper. Foreigners Eric Brown , Taisuke Matsugae , Minchol Son , Ryuki Kozawa have all began to let their presence felt . “ Yes , they look more balanced this season with some quality signings . They already snatched a victory against Bengaluru FC and salvaged a draw against East Bengal. So it would be foolish to under estimate them .”
Mumbai FC have Arata Izumi and Son Min-chol upfront, scoring goals is not expected to be much of a problem for the visitors.
On being asked whether his side will be going for a win , the gaffer voiced confidence in his squad ,“ Definitely they can be beaten at their own backyard . Our focus will be to create opportunities. We cannot afford to miss chances coming our way .”
Bagan footballers had a training session in the afternoon. The team management preferred to train under the lights. Sanjay Sen will be without his key striker Balwant Singh , who is still nursing his groin injury .
After facing Mumbai FC on Wednesday at Cooperage Stadium, Mariners will lock horns with Bengaluru FC at the Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday .The Mariners will be hoping to get full points from their next two away ties .
Mohun Bagan squad : Debjit Majumdar , Shilton Paul , Souvik Chakrabarti , Kinshuk Debnath , Luciano Sobrosa , Cornell Glen , Katsumi Yusa , Kean Lewis , Bikramjit Singh , Pankaj Moula , Dhanachandra Singh , Jeje Lalpekhlua , Raju Eknath Gaikwad , Sanjay Balmuchu , Pronay Halder , Sony Norde , Prabir Das , Abhishek Das