Ujjal Sarkhel
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan will look to put the controvery over the Kolkata Derby, which never happend, behind when they face off against Army XI in their next match of the ongoing Calcutta Football League at Mohun Bagan Ground on Saturday.
Mohun Bagan were scheduled to play the first Kolkata Derby of the season against East Bengal on Wednesday but the match was called off after Mohun Bagan turned down to play the derby saying they needed at least one day for practice at Kalyani Stadium before the match and over 6,000 tickets for their members and gave walkover to East Bengal.
This almost ensured the championship for East Bengal as the Red and Golds only need one point to console their seventh successive league title, eclipsing their own feat of six back-to-back triumphs.
However, if East Bengal looses in their last two matches and Mohun Bagan wins their remaining three then they will have a chance to win the CFL, which is Mohun Bagan’s only motivation going into the game against Army XI.
Talking about this tie Bagan coach will maintain the same starting lineup which played in their last match against United Sports Club. Daniel Bidemi will pair with Darryl Duffy in upfront. Pankaj Moula, Prabir Das, Azaharuddin Mallick and Saran Singh will take the responsibility in midfield while Raju Gaikward and Sanjay Balmuchu will lead in central defense and Chinta Chandrasekhar Rao and Tanmoy Ghosh as the side backs.
“Though my team not played in the derby match due to some problems, but my boys are fully focused to play the last three matches and will give 100% to win those, I am still hoping for some miracle in the league.Army XI is a very good team with have some quality players but my boys is ready to face the chllange” said Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakrabarty.
Army XI, on the other hand, will go all out to win their crucial tie after beating Bhawanipore Club 3-2 in their last fixture.
For the record last year in CFL Army XI defeated 1-0 Mohun Bagan in an exciting encounter. This year Army’s front line have weakened a bit with their star player Arjun Tudu has left for ISL 3 but the likes of Francis Zonuthanga, Lallianmawia, Sinenlo Kath Rengma and Jain Punchakadan are back from Durand Cup which will give a lot of confidence to the Army side.
The match will kick off at 5.30 pm and will televised at ETV News Bangla.
