By Ujjal Sarkhel
KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan have enjoyed a lot of success in the national level in last two seasons, but the holders of the Federation Cup will be desparate to make their mark in the state when they begin their campaign in the 2016/17 CFL Premier Division- A against Aryan Club tomorrow.
The Mariners are coming into the game on the back of five weeks pre season training started from 6th July. During the training period they have played a handful of practice matches. Though Mohun Bagan have won most of those but also suffered a defeat from Peerless SC.
The Bagan think tank have decided to invest their faith in local boys with assistant coach Sankarlal Chakrabarty in charge for the CFL. Recruiters have tried their best to make a balanced team with some senior players like Prabir Das, Raju Gaikwad, Ajay Singh, Tapan Maity, Chinta Chandrashekhar Rao and Arnab Das Sarma alongside academy products like Robinson Singh, C. Lalremruata and Agiapal Singh.
“The first match of the season is always important for any team. This year we have many new faces in the side and most of them will be wearing the Green and Maroon jersey for the first time. However, the boys have done well during the practice sessions and they are all geared up. I have told them to not take any added pressure and just stick to the basics,” Bagan coach Sankarlal said on the eve of the clash.
Facing Aryan Club in their first game, Bagan will start with lone foreigner in Darryl Duffy. The Scot will pair with young Azaharuddin Mallick upfront. Prabir Das, Amandeep Singh, Pankaj Moula and Tapan Maity will form the spine of the team. Bikramjit Singh will pair Raju Gaikawad, who will lead the side in Calcutta Football League, in the central defense while Sarthak Golui and Chinta Chandrasekhar are expected to start respectively as right and left back with Arnab Das Sarma under the bar.
“Every season is a new challenge for me and I am ready to face it. Though we have a young side but I think we have enough potential in our side to challenge for the title,” Bagan’s Scottish striker Darryl Duffy said.
Aryan, on the other hand, will be playing their third match in the copmetition. Though Aryan have drawn against Gerore Telegarph in their first match but have suffered a 3-0 defeat from Peerless in their previous game. Therefor the Rajdeep Nandy coached side will be eager to log their first win of the season. Interstingly, Rajdeep’s father Raghu Nandi is the Technical Director of the team.
Aryan also have some experienced players like Goutam Thakur, Mohan Sarkar, Hiralal Chetri and Rajib Ghorui in their side with three promising foreigners in Obasi Moses, Kazeem Amobi and Emannual Chigozie.
“Mohun Bagan are a strong team and got many good players. Our boys have worked hard and will try to overcome the odds,” said Raghu Nandi.
The match at at the Mohun Bagan Ground will kick off at 5.30 pm and will televised at ETV News Bangla.