Arrows face East Bengal in battle of new versus old
NEW DELHI: The Indian Arrows’ first season in the I-League has been inconsistent to say the least, but it is something to be expected given the side consists entirely of developmental players.
An opening-day victory over Chennai City was followed by three defeat sin a row, two of them coming against Miner va Punjab and one against Go ku lam Kerala.
However, their last two games have seen the young side regain some form. After stunning last season’s runners-up Shillong La jong3-0,t hey showed maturity to hold Mohun Bagan 1-1 despite being reduced to 10 men.
MUTUAL RESPECT
It is perhaps these showings that prompted East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil to say his side won’ t underestimate the young side.
“Indian Arrows are playing good football. The Improvement in them is evident. We can’t take them lightly. They are a good unit,” Jamil said.
Arrows coach Luis Norton de Matos was also quick to pay respect to his opponents. “East Bengal are one of the best teams in India. Khalid has won the I-League already. They have some good individual talent too and won’ t be easy to stop. I expect a very hard game for us on Tuesday,” said the Portuguese.
NO DHEERAJ NO ISSUE
Indian Arrows will have to do without goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh, the U-17 team stopper chose not to extend his contract with the AI FF beyond December 31 and is reportedly lining up trials with some European clubs.
While Matos spoke positively about reserve goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Khalid Jamil, when asked about Dheeraj’s absence, said: “The Arrows not having Dheeraj Singh will be an advantage for us.”
Perhaps the biggest advantage Arrows have over East Ben gal is not being burdened by expectations.
East Ben gal are among the biggest clubs in India and dropping points to this young side will be seen as a negative, no matter the circumstances.
MOHUN BAGAN AIM TO END HOME HITCHES
HTC ADDS FROM KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan’s coming home in the I-League coincided with coach Sanjoy Sen being jeered for the first time since taking charge in December 2014. And if they begin 2018, against Chennai City on Tuesday, the way they ended 2017, calls for Sen’s removal may get louder. “We are responsible for this situation and it is for us to find a way to get out of it,” said Sen.
Todo that without star striker Sony Nor de, who is likely to miss his second straight game due to injury, means Mo hun Bag an will have to show the kind of character they haven’t since steamrollering Churchill Brothers on December 10.
Having played their first five games away, Chennai City have come here having lost to East Bengal at home, their fourth defeat in six. Coach V Sound arajan though said the results didn’t reflect the performance. Should Chen nai City rise to the occasion, it would exacerbate Bagan’s hitches at home.