As Ileague comes home, Bagan hope for good Friday
KOLKATA: There is more to Friday’s I-league match between Mohun Bagan and Indian Arrows than it being a clash of the competition’s oldest and youngest teams. It is also about Mohun Bagan coming home.
It took Mohun Bagan over two decades to bring a national league match to the Maidan, the process being fast-tracked by a slew of injuries on the Barasat stadium’s artificial pitch. The emergency procedure, according to club’s assistant-secretary Srinjoy Bose, means that the arrangements made in a week’s time could have been better even though they have fulfilled requirements.
For this venue to be greenlighted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Mohun Bagan had to ready an away team change-room area, set up a medical room, one for match officials referees and another for the match commissioner.
Around 16,000 tickets have been put up for sale and response has been very good, said Bose. A full house, therefore, is expected and everyone from Sony Norde, who is injured and unavailable, to goalie Shilton Paul and Bose issued separate appeals to the spectators, who can be notoriously volatile, to behave.
“We want to play at home just as you want to see us play here. So please don’t react in a manner that could make the AIFF blacklist the Mohun Bagan ground,” said Norde.
Coach Sanjoy Sen said it would be befitting of the occasion if Mohun Bagan, bagged full points.
“Three draws equals two losses and we can’t afford to drop more points. Arrows can get players behind the ball and having been together under a good coach, they show cohesiveness in their game,” said Sen.