Kolkata: In what can be called as a mini-derby, two Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting face off against each other in the Calcutta Football League at the Kalyani stadium on Saturday.
East Bengal are just three steps away from winning the league for a record eight time on the run and are also unbeaten in 34 games in the tournament, having last lost to the Black Panthers in 2014. Mohammedan Sporting on the other hand are virtually out of the title race and will only play to spoil the beans.
The match will also see the league’s best attack Mohammedan Sporting, who have scored 23 goals in seven matches come up against the league’s best defensive team East Bengal, who have conceeded only three goals in the campaign so far.
Talking about his opposition on Saturday, Biswajit Bhattacharya said as quoted by Xtratime, “It will be an enticing affair and the team which can handle the pressure better will be able to prevail. East Bengal are a very good side and they have shown how easily they can dominate teams. But we have shown that we are a team not to be taken lightly. We will go hard at them enforcing our own style of attacking flare.”
Despite being out of the title race, the Black Panthers coach assured that they will play with the same intensity. “We are professionals. When we go on the pitch, we must respect the jersey, the fans and the honor of club. Our fate may have been sealed but we have to go out and do our best to win because that’s what we deserve.”
Captain Arnab Mondal is expected to return for the Red and Gold Brigade and will line up with Carlyle Mitchell at the heart of the defence, while upfront Willis Plaza will be paired up with the young star Joby Justin.
Both the teams have won their previous match and have no injury scare. Hence coaches are expected to line up a strong team in the high voltage match.
Dipanda Dicka who has been scoring goals for fun in the CFL, will be the man to stop for East Bengal as coach Khalid Jamil said, “They have good players. Dicka is in good form. They have a good attacking force, the defence is good as well. It will be a difficult game.”
Meanwhile, according to Xtratime, East Bengal were dealt with a heavy blow when a sponsor group of the club, United Beverage (UB group) reportedly sent a letter starting that they will not grant any money above 1.25 CR. which is less than half of the amount that was paid every year (8.25Cr).
This raise huge questions as to whether the club would continue their association with the UB group. With so less an amount, it looks that the tie-up is going to break down. However, no decisions as such has been taken yet.