By Debabrata Majumder
KOLKATA:Mohammedan Sporting Club will look to grab their fourth successive win in the ongoing CFL Premier Division – A when take on Southern Samity tomorrow at Barasat Stadium.
The match against Southern Samity is very crucial for the Black Panthers as they are 6 points below the leaders East Bengal and one behind second placed Mohun Bagan, on third with 12 points. Thus a win on the morrow would take them to second making the three headed race at the top tighter.
Mohammedan SC, who played their last game on August 20 against Aryan Club, are coming into game on the back of three back-to-back wins. However the task at hand won’t be easy for the Black Panthers as gaffer Mridul Bannerjee has admitted that Southern Samity could prove to be the toughest opponent that his team have faced so far in the competition.
“We did win three 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,” coach Bannerjee said ahead of the clash.
Facing Southern Samity, Mohammedan SC will be boosted by the arrival of attacking medio Alexandre Tabillon, along with the Frenchman experienced striker Dipendu Biswas will also be available for selection.
On the other hand, Southern Samity’s campaign has been a roller coaster ride so far. The Subarata Bhattacharya Jr. coached side started with a goalless draw against Bhawanipore Club, then they went on to beat United SC 2-0 before going down 0-1 to Mohun Bagan. However, they bounced back to the winning ways against Army XI but again suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat from East Bengal in their last game.<
Going into the game, Southrn Samity will rely on their 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 our young team and they have stood up whenever needed. We will try our best for a positive result tomorrow,” coach Bannerjee added.
Interestingly the current Southern Samity coach was in charge of Mohammedan SC during the 2015/16 I-League 2nd Division few months back and Southern Samity have as many five players in their side who plied their trade in Mohammedan SC previous season.
For the record, Mohammedan SC have not won against Southern Samity in their previous two meetings of the CFL Premier Division, hence The Black Panthers hoping for it’s third time lucky.
The game at Barasat Stadium kicks off at 5.30 pm on Wednesday and it will be televised on ETV News Bangla.
