Mohun Bagan prepare for first home tie

New Delhi: McDowells Mohun Bagan will play their first official home match of the I-League versus Chirag United Kerala on Friday October 28th 201.

Both Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan and Chirag United Kerela come into this match on the back of "away wins" in the 1st round of matches. While Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan won 3-1 in a come from behind win against Pailan Arrows in Kolkata, Chirag United Kerela won 1-0 to HAL in Bangalore.

With not that many big names in their squad Chirag United Kerela will be looking to Indian National Player Ajayan and their three foreigners to make an impact in the match. Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan on the other hand may start with their tried and tested warhorse Barreto.

 

Coach Prasanta Banerjee said "Barreto is one of our main weapons so we have to use with caution as required. After the first win the team spirit in high and a second win will bring about greater confidence in the side."

Chirag Kerala United Sri Lankan coach M.N. Packeer Ali added that "Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan AC is a strong team but we are here to try and get points".

Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan centre forward and hat-trick scorer from the previous match Odafa Okolie speaking to the press added that he didn't know much about the opponent but they would go all out to try and get three points from their first home match. Coach Prasanta Banerjee also claimed that "Though we have watched them play in the Federation Cup many changes have taken place to the squad since then so we cannot say what their formations, strategy or gameplan will be".

With Sunil Chetri and Odafa to start once again upfront for Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan their is another mouthwatering clash on the cards in Kolkata.

SALGAOCAR TO HOST PAILAN ARROWS

Salgaocar Sports Club coach Karim Bencherifa is expected to ring the changes as his side faces Pailan Arrows in a second round I-League clash at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Friday.

Salgaocar were disappointing in their solitary goal loss against Dempo in the opener and coach Bencherifa is set to make the necessary changes that would give them full points against a side with plenty of potential.

“Pailan Arrows is hungry, energetic and hardworking. These boys can trouble any team. You could tell from their last performance against Mohun Bagan how they gave a good account of themselves. We have to remain guarded,” warned Bencherifa.

The coach said he would bring a few ‘fresh legs’ that would give his side the necessary edge.

“We want to be at the top (of the table) because that is where we belong. I am looking forward to the match tomorrow but I know for sure that it will not be easy (for us),” said the Moroccan coach.

For an hour in their opener against Mohun Bagan, Pailan Arrows made the former champions sweat until Nigerian striker Odafe Okolie, as he mostly does, turned the match on its head with a brilliant hat-trick.

“I don’t think the 1-3 result was fair on the team. Even at the fag end of the match we came close to scoring,” said Pailan Arrows technical director Sukhwinder Singh.

The former India coach said Pailan Arrows had matched their famed counterparts for more than an hour but were found wanting in experience towards the later stages of the clash. The team, though, is ready to take on the might of the defending champions.

“Salgaocar are the defending league champions. They also won the Federation Cup and deserve respect. But in football, no team is unbeatable. My boys have the confidence that they can defeat any opponent and I don’t think any opponent in the competition, when playing against us, will take the field thinking they already have the three points in their pocket,” said Sukhwinder.

PUNE FC TO FACE SPORTING CLUBE DE GOA IN THEIR HOME TURF

Pune FC seek to open their winning account when they take on Sporting Clube de Goa the second team in this year’s I-League who have fought themselves back among the elite after a one-season absence.

Both sides go into this Friday, October 28 encounter late evening encounter at the Balewadi Sports Complex with a point each after registering identical results with different scorelines from their opening matches.

The draw against Shillong Lajong FC was not the best result for Pune FC, but as coach Derrick Pereira explained, “Any opening game is a nervy affair for any team as no side wants to begin on a back foot. The point gave us confidence, helped us settle our nerves and we would want to take on those positives against our Goan opponents.”

Sporting Clube de Goa come into the game playing out a 2-2 draw with Prayag United SC and are a young side with a dash of experience, which makes them a fighting unit. While the additions of Ogba Kalu Nnanna in the midfield and the sigining of south Sudan striker James Moga add the teeth in Sporting’s line up.

“We need to concentrate on our attacks and moreover need to finish the chances we create. I am expecting an improved performance after negotiating the tricky opener,” said Derrick Pereira.

Derrick also felt that his side could do better in the midfield and in saying so hinted of a reshuffled side that will take the field against the Goan side. “Yes expect to have some changes,” he quipped.

The home side for this match will miss left wing half Paresh Shivalkar, who has not yet recovered from a recurring hamstring injury which he suffered during Durand Cup recently.

Barring the experienced local lad Paresh the coach gave a thumbs up to all players – barring Subrata Paul and Mandjou Keita. The good news that the coach announced was the fast improving fitness of central midfielder Asim Hassan. “Asim has shown progress and along with the rest on the bench add to the good options on hand,’ the coach added.

For Sporting the game would be their first away tie, while for Pune it is their second back-to-back home tie.

Both teams have met twice in the 2009-10 season, with Pune FC winning the home tie convincingly after drawing their first-ever meeting in Goa.

 

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