I League : Return derby on April 02

East-Bengal-practiceKolkata , December 11 : All India Football Federation  have provisionally scheduled the return I League derby on April 02,2016 . The Federation have sent a letter to the club seeking an opinion where they want to play their home match. Kingfisher East Bengal officials are still undecided on the venue of  return I League derby, whether to keep it at Siliguri or Cuttack . Meanwhile East Bengal start their I League campaign on January 10 against Sporting Club de Goa in Goa . East Bengal’s next opponent is Mumbai FC in Mumbai . The Red & Gold play their first match in Kolkata against arch rivals Mohun Bagan . Biswajit Bhattacharya’s men will play their first home match against I League debutants DSK Shibajians on January 26  at the Salt Lake Stadium followed by Bengaluru FC  on January 30 at Barasat stadium .  AIFF  have slated the return leg of I League derby for April 02.

East Bengal coach Biswajit Bhatacharjee has requested  the club officials to conduct a residential

camp before the I-league kicks off from 9th January. The venue of the camp is still not decided but it

could be either Kalyani or Siliguri.Although some of the star players is still unavailable due to their ISL engagement , the likes of  Rahul Bheke, Cavin Lobo, Mehtab Hussain will join the practice from Monday. The idea behind such  residential  camp will be to  focus on  team building and bonding . With the I- league scheduled to start from 9th January , East Bengal will be playing  two practice matches next week on Tuesday and Friday. The opponents  is still not yet decided . Meanwhile , Korean Do Dong Hyun is making a steady progress after an injury to his left knee . Although he played in a practice match for a few minutes , but is yet to recover to full fitness .