KOLKATA: Kingfisher East Bengal have a hearty task at home given the recent tumultuous period when they host Sporting Clube de Goa at the Barasat Stadium on Friday.
Having come off a heart-rending defeat at the hands of Bengaluru FC last weekend and with a loss in the form of coach Biswajit Bhattacharya’s resignation, the Red and Golds would be itching to start the remaining games with a clean slate.
The Kolkata giants would need to address key areas when they step onto the field on Friday, especially the lackluster defence.
However, Kingfisher East Bengal can take solace from the fact that they emerged victorious 3-1 against the same opposition in the reverse fixture of the game three months ago.
The most interesting aspect would be the tactics deployed by the interim managers Sanjay Majhi and Debjit Ghosh if they would give the players, who have played very few minutes till now, a chance.
In press conference, Sanjay Majhi disclosed that Bernard Mendy could not play a part in Friday’s encounter owing to his injury. He added more, "This Sporting Goa team is not the same whom we faced in the first leg. We have to be cautious but we've no other option but to go all-out for a win."
Regarding the bleak chance of clinching their maiden Hero I-League, Majhi spoke, "Yes, we still have a slim chance of winning it. Although it depends on other results, still we can only hope for the best."
As for the Goan side, 18 points with two games in hand, secures them a spot in next year’s Hero I-League and Mateus Costa would be happy to not get dragged into the messy relegation battle at the fag end of the season.
After a thumping 5-2 victory over Shillong Lajong at home, spirits would be high given youngster Sumeet Passi’s emergence to the fold following skipper Odafa Okolie’s injury.
The Flaming Oranje look a settled side in defence and with pacy winger are sure to provide Kingfisher East Bengal a point in their step on Friday.
Even after a lot of injuries to the squad, Sporting Clube de Goa have dug deep and found ideal replacements for Densil Theobald and Odafa Okolie to guarantee another season of top flight football. The Nigerian marksman has recovered and it remains to be seen if he could play any part or not today.
The match is slated to kick off at 7:05 PM at the Barasat Stadium and it'll be broadcast live on TEN 2.
