East Bengal set to start as favourites
East Bengal will be favourites when they take on under-fire Mohun Bagan in the return I-League Kolkata derby at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan here on Sunday.
Mohun Bagan on Friday received a body blow when star Haitian forward Sony Norde had to be released due to sustained period of injury.
It has been learnt that Norde will leave for Argentina where he will get treated. The Mohun Bagan skipper got injured in his right knee against Churchill Brothers and had to be stretchered off the field. He has featured only once since then which was against Neroca on December 19.
The Red and Golds suffered a slender 1-0 defeat the last time these two sides met this 2017-18 season.
Post that, East Bengal have remained unbeaten, notching five wins and three draws, to be ranked second on the table with nineteen points in their kitty.
“Last match we lost (against Mohun Bagan), we didn’t play good. This time we have to prepare well and not take them lightly. Like any other match, we have to play well and take positive points. They have good and experienced players,” said coach Khalid Jamil in the official prematch press conference.
The I-League winning coach chose not to ponder upon the absence of Norde but praised the new signing Akram Moghrabi from the opposing camp.
“Football is about eleven players on the pitch. I saw Akram two-three years ago and he is a good player. We don’t have any special plans for him.
KOLKATA: