By Ajay Majumder
KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakraborty has urged his side to forget the 6-0 drubbing they handed out to Army XI last weekend when they face Tollygunge Agragami in the Calcutta Football League on Thursday.
The match was originally scheduled on August 29 but has been abandoned in stoppage time at tied 1-1 after assistant referee Ujjal Haldar canceled Bagan’s Azharuddin Mallick’s goal for offside which saw Mohun Bagan fans invaded the playing area and threw objects on the ground.
Bagan officials later demanded for a replay which IFA accepted however Tollygunge, initially, did oppose the decision but eventually agreed to play the match avoiding a clash with the parent body.
“Tollygune is a strong side. They have put on a great show in the game that has been abandoned so we have to be cautious in our approach and need to avoid mistakes, committed last time around,” coach Sankarlal said ahead his team’s penultimate game in the CFL.
Going into the game Mohun Bagan will be without the services of regular centre-backs in Sanjay Balmuchu and Raju Gaikwad alongside winger Prabir Das who left for their respective ISL franchises. However, coach Sankarlal feels that it’s high time for the young players in the squad to step up in the absence of the seniors which will be a good positive sign for their future.
Tollygune, on the other hand, are on 8 points from 6 games just a point above the relegation zone therefor the Ranjan Chaudhury-led side will be eager to notch up a positive result allowing themselves some breating space in the league table.
Facing Mohun Bagan, Tollygunge will be relying on strike pair of Joel Sunday and Alfred Jaryan for goals upfront. Joining them will be the likes of Surabuddin Mallick, Rakesh Masih and Reisangmei Vashum who would play a crucial role in the midfield.
The game at Mohun Bagan Ground kicks off at 5.30 pm on Thursday and there will be no telecast.
