Kolkata: Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan will host Kingfisher East Bengal at the Yuba Bharathi Krinangan in the first Kolkata derby of the season in all competitions on Sunday, November 20
The city of Kolkata on Sunday will awake to the big derby unofficially rated as one of the top 10 football rivalries of the world. Being the first time these two teams will meet this season a 100,000 strong crowd is more than a possibility.
Kingfisher East Bengal will miss the services of their star forward Australian Tolgay Ozbey who is suspended for this match with a double booking. Mehtab Hussain on the other hand is yet to recover from his injury and is doubtful to play any part in the match. Khemtang Paite is also not likely to play the match as he is injured.
Head coach of Kingfisher East Bengal Trevor Morgan said ahead of the big clash that "It does not make a difference if few players are injured or suspended. It is part and parcel of the game and we have replacements in every department to have a strong team on the pitch. We need to keep up the momentum we have from recent matches and put in a strong performance". Furthermore Morgan went on to request Kingfisher East Bengal fans to come in large numbers and support their team. On the other hand he refused to comment on the rivals Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan.
Sanjhu Pradhan the Kingfisher East Bengal captain was upbeat about the match and said it was a must win match for them and they would be going for an all out win. He was quick to add that their present form and combinations have been working well enough to be strong contenders to win the derby.
For Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan their defense will miss Anwar Ali, who is nursing an injury while Hudson Lima is still to recover from a knock suffered in the last match versus Churchill Brothers SC. Manish Mathani is also doubtful for the match.
Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan Head Coach Prasanta Banerjee said that "We are currently in the 2nd in the I-League so there is no pressure on us and nothing to worry about. We have been winning the last few matches and it us pushed us towards the top of the table".
Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan captain Jose Barreto said that "Attack is the best form of defense and we will have to keep attacking and keep their defenders busy if we are to take the pressure of our defenders".
Prasanta Banerjee added that "Although Barreto's thinking is attacking minded I think we will have to play a more constructive game working the ball upwards with many passes starting right from the defenders".
For Kingfisher East Bengal Penn will once again be the driving force in the centre of the field but Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan would have pre planned a strategy for the other key players are well.
The Kick off is slated for 6:30 PM, November 20.