By Ujjal Sarkhel
Kolkata: East Bengal will look to grab their six successive win in the ongoing CFL Premier Division – A when take on Southern Samity tomorrow at Barasat Stadium.
The Red and Gold are coming into this game fresh off a 1-0 win over Tollygaunge Agragami while Southern Samity also beat Army XI in their last game.
East Bengal are currently at top position with 15 point from 5 games, will look to cement their top position in this league. However the task is not easy for the red and gold side as gaffer Trevor Morgan has admitted that Southern Samity will be the toughest opponent that his team have faced so far in the season.
“We did win five games back-to-back but whatever we have done in the past will count for very little when we play our next game. Each game is a new challenge and needs different approach and my boys are trying hard to fulfil that,” coach Morgan said on the eve of the clash.
Against Southern Samity, the red and gold are expected to retain the same starting XI from last two games. Though their upfront players Adileja and Jiten are not in score sheet in every game but once again Morgan will relying on them. Mehatab Hussain, Lalrandika Ralte, Md Rafique and Avinash Rui Das would form the spine of the team.
Skipper Arnab Mandal will continue to helm the defensive duties beside Calum Angas with Samad Ali and Narayan Das as the full backs and Lui Barreto as custodian.
Southern Samity, on the other hand, started their campaign with a goalless draw against Bhawanipore Club. Then they went on to beat United Sports Club 2-0 before going down 0-1 to Mohun Bagan. However, the Subarata Bhattacharya Jr. coached side bounced back to the winning ways against Army XI and have 7 points from 4 games.
Going into the game Southrn Samity will rely on the Liberian striker Taurus Manneh and Ashim Biswas for goals up front while the likes of Antoni Soren, Deepak Mondal, Basanta Singh, Goutam Kujur and Safar Sardar will add depth to the side.
“Southern Samity is one of the toughest teams in the league. They have a well-balanced side and it always gets difficult when we are stacked up against a set of proven players. But I have full faith in my boys We will try our best for a positive result tomorrow,” coach Morgan added.
Going into this match both side will have a strong motive for win. It will be an exciting encounter that how the league leaders will cross this strong hurdle to maintain their top spot.
The game at Barasat Stadium kicks off at 5.30 pm on Saturday and it will be televised on ETV News Bangla.
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