Sony, Jeje rested for AFC Cup tie against Club Valencia
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan finished the first leg of I League with a comprehensive 3-0 win over DSK Shivajians at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on Saturday. The win took the Mariners on even points with East Bengal. Both the Kolkata giants now have 21 points from 9 matches. But East Bengal is on top with a better goal difference. The Red and Golds has a goal difference of +14 compared to Mohun Bagan’s +11.
Mohun Bagan footballers will travel tonight for Maldives to play their AFC Cup tie against Club Valencia on February 21. The team management has decided to rest Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sony Norde, Debjit Majumder, Pranoy Halder, Souvik Chakraborty and Pritam Kotal. The Coach himself will also not travel with the team, as he lost a close member of his family.
The Mariners failed to bring full points with a full team from Maldives last season. Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen has reminded his players about the result in the dressing room after the match.
“We did not do well when we last time went there. We failed to win in-spite of having a full team,” commented Sanjoy Sen.
Bagan Coach Sanjoy Sen seemed a lot relieved man after today’s win. The tactical change by the gaffer paved the win for Mohun Bagan on Saturday. Prabir Das, who came in as a substitute changed the complex of the game. Katsumi, who was playing in his customary position in the right wing, was brought in the middle while Prabir operated from the wings.
On being asked about his strategy which eventually turned the match in favour of Mohun Bagan, Coach Sanjoy Sen said, “I don’t have a Plan A or B. Whether my strategy clicked or not I do not know. In the match against Mumbai FC I changed from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 with Duffy, Jeje and Balwant but unfortunately it did not click. Every coach has its own style. All I can say we are going in the right direction according to our plans.”
Sony Norde, who had a knee injury, did not look concerned at all throughout the match. The Haiti marksman was all over the ground and played a perfect foil for Balwant and Duffy. According to Sanjoy Sen, “Sony has answered his critics. His performance speaks for him today.”
Sony himself felt happy with the way things went. “Yes, I feel a lot better now. I was skeptical whether to play. I am happy we won the match. It was a much deserved win for us. We did not play well in the first half but came back strongly in the second half. With the second leg coming up we cannot afford to lose any more points,” said Norde to the reporters after the match.
Lastly, Sanjay Sen looked a satisfied man after the match. “I am happy with the way the boys bounced back after conceding a goal. Today we had the biggest margin of wins and all credit goes to my boys. What more could you have asked for, winning 6 out of 9 matches. As a coach I am satisfied and everything is going according to our plans,” said the gaffer.
Both the teams observed a minutes silence before the start of the match in remembrance of the departed soul of club’s loyal fan Soumya Mukherjee. Mohun Bagan assistant secretary Srinjoy Bose gifted a jersey signed by all the players to Soumya’s family.