Kolkata: Pailan Arrows will take on Prayag United in I-League. Prayag were being tipped to finish among the top-five. But fortunes fluctuate fast and as things stand at the moment, Prayag would have to win their remaining matches and keep their fingers crossed if they are to finish in the top-five.
On the other hand, fortunes have stayed constant for Pailan Arrows – winless. They have been distinctly unlucky in some matches. But in football, all that matters is putting the ball into the rival net. Unless that happens, everything else stays immaterial. A victory against Prayag at the moment will be a surprise for Pailan but in football, you never know.
“Undoubtedly, Prayag are a Champion side,” echoes Pailan’s Goalkeeping Coach Tanumoy Basu. “Coach Sanjay Sen’s tactical acumen can never be doubted and they boast of quite a few quality players. Players like Yusif Yakubu and Arnab Mondal are assets for any team.”
“But we go all out for a win. We got sufficient time to recover after our match against Pune FC. We have some options up our sleeve,” he added, indicating that India’s U-19 midfielders Pranoy Halder and Prabir Das would likely be back in the squad.
Meanwhile, Prayag United coach Sanjoy Sen has, perhaps the hardest task – the task of regrouping his side after their demoralising loss against Churchill Brothers in their last encounter. Nevertheless, he isn’t willing to judge Pailan Arrows by the merit as displayed by the I-League points table.
“We need to stay cautious of the Arrows. They forced a draw against us in our last encounter. They haven’t won matches so. That makes them all the more dangerous,” he added.
“There’s no room for further slip-ups. We need to display character and win all our remaining matches. We are desperate if we are to finish among the top-5. We need to be desperate too.”
Prayag United have 35 points from 22 matches while Pailan Arrows stays on 8 points from 19 outings.
Basu refuses to be drawn into predictions. “I am in no position to comment. We have been luckless so far. I pray for some luck,” he smiles.
By Indian Sports News Network
