I-League: Round 24 Preview – East Bengal hoping for a favour from Mohun Bagan
Overview
This weekend’s I-League action will witness the rarest occurrence of East Bengal fans rooting for Mohun Bagan as the green-and-maroon brigade entertain league leaders Bengaluru FC. It will be the first of Bengaluru’s three remaining fixtures, all of which will be away from home, and worryingly the I-League debutants have managed only four wins from their previous nine away games. Mohun Bagan also need the points to ensure their I-League survival and at the same time move up the table but will their supporters want to see East Bengal win the title? No chance. So it’s a bit of a dilemma for the fans but Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa would undoubtedly prepare his team for a home victory.
Even if Mohun Bagan do East Bengal a favour, it would be pointless if the red-and-gold brigade don’t beat local rivals Mohammedan Sporting. Armando Colaco’s side haven’t won back-to-back I-League games this season and will be up against a side that is fighting to avoid the drop. Mohammedan Sporting are currently rock-bottom and have four more games to maintain their top-flight status. Crucially three of those matches are in Kolkata including this derby but the black and whites haven’t beaten East Bengal on two attempts this term with Colaco’s team winning the previous I-League encounter 2-1.
Pune FC and Salgaocar also have title aspirations and the two clash on Friday knowing very well that anything less than a win could end their hopes. The Red Lizadrds were in action in the AFC Cup in midweek and thus will have some tired legs. Salgaocar would be looking to capitalise on that and close the gap at the top, which would put pressure on both East Bengal and Bengaluru. Mathematically, Dempo and Sporting Clube de Goa can also catch Bengaluru but their best hope is a top-three finish. Both sides face relegation-threatened teams as Dempo entertain Mumbai while Sporting Clube have a Goan derby with Churchill Brothers. Mumbai have picked up five points from their last three away games and are basically a win away from safety. Churchill have a lot more work to do though and maximum points over Sporting Clube could be a massive step forward.
Fixtures
Friday: Pune FC vs Salgaocar (19:00; LIVE on Ten Action)
Saturday: Mohammedan Sporting vs East Bengal (17:00; LIVE on Ten Action), Dempo vs Mumbai FC (18:00)
Sunday: Mohun Bagan vs Bengaluru FC (16:00; LIVE on Ten Action), Sporting Clube vs Churchill Brothers (17:00)
Game of the round
Mohun Bagan vs Bengaluru FC
Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC
When Bengaluru hosted Mohun Bagan in September, it was the JSW-owned club’s first-ever game and no one could have predicted back then that almost seven months later Ashley Westwood’s side would be leading the I-League table. Bengaluru’s debut campaign has been beyond remarkable and could get even better if they manage to win their final three games. Their away form has been far from great so since all three games are outside Bangalore, the entire chasing pack will be encouraged. But an away win over a club of Mohun Bagan’s stature will surely give the table toppers momentum for their final two games in Goa.
The subplot is of course that Mohun Bagan could help the cause of their arch-rivals East Bengal by stopping Bengaluru from winning. But that would be the last thing on coach Bencherifa’s mind as the Moroccan is eager to end another trophyless season on a high note. The Mariners possibly need one more victory to be assured of survival and the entire squad would look to get that in this game so that they can play without pressure in the final two fixtures. Club captain Odafa Okolie and Japanese playmaker Katsumi Yusa were brilliant in the away win over Sporting Clube two weeks ago and the Mohun Bagan faithful would be hoping for much of the same from their star duo in this game.
The match in Bangalore earlier in the season ended 1-1 with both teams squandering penalties and more such drama can be expected on Sunday also. Although Mohun Bagan are the club with history and enormous fanbase, there is a bit of pressure on Bengaluru also as their growing fanbase are beginning to have high expectations. More importantly any team that has led a league table for so long would not settle for anything better than first so the Bengaluru players too are determined to finish the job. Bengaluru would take heart from the fact that they have won two of the three away games against Kolkata opposition but Mohun Bagan are in no mood to ease off.
Players to watch out for
Foreigner: Penn Orji (Mohammedan Sporting)
The Nigerian has won two trophies with Mohammedan after switching from East Bengal in the summer but now needs to inspire the relegation-threatened side in this must-win encounter against his former club.
Indian: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
The India captain failed to score in his last two games with Bengaluru failing to win both. Sunil would be looking to be at his absolute best against Mohun Bagan to help his club return to winning ways and boost his chances of finishing as the top scorer.