Kolkata: Winless Mohun Bagan host league leaders Salgaocar in the round six clash of the Airtel I-League on Wednesday (October 23 2013) at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The form of the two sides couldn’t be more contrasting as Mohun Bagan suffered their second straight defeat of the season at the weekend when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Sporting Clube de Goa. Salgaocar also ended Mumbai FC’s unbeaten run by winning 3-1 in Pune and went top of the table ahead of Bengaluru FC because of their superior goal difference.
Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan are one of three teams who are still without a win and third from bottom in the table. Salgaocar already have an eight-point lead over the green-and-maroon brigade with both sides having played four games each.
However, Mohun Bagan will be boosted by the return of skipper and talisman Odafa Okolie from injury while Nigerian central defender Echezona Anyichie is also available after missing out the Sporting Clube game due to suspension.
But Odafa still remains far from full fitness so coach Karim Bencherifa doesn’t want to burn out his star striker and thus may not start with the Nigerian goal machine in this game.
“Please don’t put too much pressure on Odafa. He is a human being and will be coming back from an injury,” the Moroccan tactician was quoted as saying.
Salgaocar have a fully-fit squad to choose from and also have the current highest scorer of the league in their ranks. Scotsman Darryl Duffy has adapted very quickly to Indian football as the former Swansea striker has netted in each of the four games with five goals already.
Much like his spells at Vasco, Mahindra United and Pune FC, Derrick Pereira has been able to find consistency at Salgaocar almost immediately after joining them this season.
But the Goan outfit have a tough period now as the game against Mumbai FC at the weekend was the first of their five consecutive away fixtures with three straight against Kolkata opposition.
“The boys are gelling well both on and off the field which is a positive sign. We hope to get good results in the away matches also,” Pereira stated.
The Mariners will be determined to get their first win of the season in front of their own fans but Salgaocar also have to prove their title credentials. Bencherifa will be facing the club whom he made I-League champions in 2010/11.
