I-LEAGUE Media Team

KOLKATA: McDowell’s Mohun Bagan will take on Salgaocar FC at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata on Friday in the Gameweek 14 Hero I-League encounter. The reverse fixture in Goa had finished as a goalless stalemate with the Mariners raising a hue and cry about a disallowed goal.

The two teams had also met in the Hero Federation Cup where the Greens had recovered brilliantly after an early goal, to knock out Mohun Bagan, with the match ending 4-1.

Derrick Pereira’s side had also managed to stop Mumbai FC’s unbeaten run off late, as they downed them 3-1 in Goa and now he can set his sights on ending the Mariners’ unbeaten start to the league.

Pereira will also be enthused with having his full squad at his disposal. Daryl Duffy has recovered from his groin injury while Gurjinder Kumar will return from suspension.

The former Pune FC coach was also confident of his team’s chances going into the match.

“We are aware of Mohun Bagan’s strengths this year. They have some fine attacking players and are the team to beat at the half way stage of the league. We have prepared ourselves well and the boys are raring to go”.

Sanjoy Sen meanwhile is on Cloud nine, after beating bitter rivals East Bengal in the hard fought Kolkata Derby. Sen would also like to set the perceived injustice right as he would go all guns blazing to win the game.

With both Royal Wahingdoh and Bengaluru FC winning in their respective games, the pressure on Mohun Bagan to remain on top of the table is back on, with the two teams breathing down their neck.

Dhanachandra Singh might play a part as he seems to have recovered from his niggle while the two dangermen Katsumi Yusa and Sony Norde would be available and raring to go. Pritam Kotal who returned from his U-23 duties will likely start on the bench.

Sen however warned his players that complacency would be their biggest enemy and they have to take every team seriously.

“We cannot afford to drop our guard and are wary of Salgaocar, whom we are yet to beat this season.”

Even though the Mariners have two more home games remaining before they start their away sojourn and are a point ahead of the chasing pack, in spite of having played two games less, they would need to get their run going and any hiccups will be bound to have an adverse effect on the title aspirations.

An exciting match is what is in store, with the Greens needing a win to stay within title range.

Match KO: Apr 3 @ 4:30 PM IST (Ten Action)
 

Hashtag: #MMBvSFC