Kolkata : Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen is facing a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s I League derby . The Bagan gaffer is leaving all his options open regarding his U’22 player selection . Sanjoy Sen is keeping all his U’22 footballers Brandon Fernandes , Azharuddin Mullick , Sarthak Golui and Manish Bharghav ready as he feel it can be a very tricky selection . At the same time he once again criticized the Federation’s rule concerning to fielding an U’22 footballer . According to Sen “ It’s a farce , as a side can take off the U’22 player after fielding him for a minute . A team is losing a potential substitution opportunity . Moreover , it does not help the cause , if you want to bring up talents ”
Although the Bagan gaffer fielded all his four U’22 footballers at the practice session , chances of Brandon Fernandes making it to the first eleven looks bright . Azharuddin Mullick cannot be ruled out either .
The Mariners will be relieved with the fact that Balwant is on his way to recovering fully from the groin injury that he sustained during the practice session couple of days back . The striker was seen practicing with the team today , although he looked to be in some sort of discomfort .
Top officials of the club were present today at the ground to cheer the footballers . Club president Swapan Swadhan Bose , who celebrate his 69th birthday on Saturday , encouraged the footballers from the sidelines . Later he urged the footballers to gift him a win on his birthday , “ I have asked my players to present me with a win on my birthday ”
Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen reiterated his side will go for a win . At the same time he reminded his counterpart Biswajit Bhattacharya , seated beside him at the pre match press conference at the club tent , “ It’s the media that is putting the tag of favourites on us . Sure , we would love to get the full points in the derby . But the bottom line is we have to go to the ground and achieve it . ”
The Bagan coach was caught a little off guard as he was asked the opponent coach has the experience of playing in a derby which might act in his favour . Sanjoy Sen was quick to react citing the example of Mourinho ,“ It does not necessarily mean you have to play in a big team to coach a big team . Even Mourinho has also never played for a big team but we all know how successful he is as a coach . True , I may not have the experience in playing in a big club like Bishuda , but that does not guarantee I will not come off with flying colours tomorrow.”
Both the coaches agreed that it is a bit too early to play the derby in I league . But feel there will be no pressure whatsoever , “ It does not matter when you are playing the derby .”
The Mariners will be banking on the brilliance of Sony Norde in the derby tomorrow . The Haitian is enjoying the fan following surrounding him . According to Norde though , winning the I League is much more important than winning the derby .
It goes to be seen whether the Bagan footballers can bring smile on the face of club president Tutu Bose .