Marvellous Mariners Focused To Extend Their Lead
By I-League Media
KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan are all set to return home for their Hero I-League battle with Mumbai FC at the Barasat Stadium after a fervent away trip.
While Mohun Bagan were away to Hong Kong for their AFC Cup duty, Mumbai FC played out a 2-2 draw against Salgaocar FC in round 12. Incidentally, it was their sixth draw in eleven matches played this season.
Khalid Jamil’s men haven’t won in their last seven games which include four draws and three loses. Meanwhile, the reverse leg also ended in a goalless stalemate at the Cooperage Stadium in Mumbai.
The Mumbai boss, however, said that they had come to Kolkata in order to get a positive result while accepting that they would be happy with a point.
He didn’t mince his words while praising Mohun Bagan, “Mohun Bagan have been playing well since last season. The likes of Sony Norde, Cornell Glen and Debjit Majumder are very good, and are playing well.”
The Mumbai boss, however, lamented the injury nightmare that his team was going through and said that came in the way of the great start their team had.
Two of his foreign recruits, Minchol Son and Taisuke Matsugae were doubtful as they were nursing injuries while Eric Brown and Ryuki Kozawa are almost certain to feature in the starting lineup.
Climax Lawrence, Naoba Singh and Clifford Miranda did not travel with the squad while Syed Rahim Nabi is on a 10-day personal leave.
Midfielder NP Pradeep is out of consideration while Arata Izumi and Allan Dias are also doubtful for tomorrow’s mouth-watering clash.
Kozawa would most likely start with Sushil Singh up front with Jayesh Rane and Ishfaq Ahmed operating on the wings.
Mariners’ assistant coach, Shankar Lal Chakraborty, however, is pretty confident that Sanjoy Sen’s absence in the dugout won’t matter much, “It is Sen who has coached the team and has decided the tactics so I don’t think his absence from the touchline will matter much.”
He was however guarded and said that the three of Kingfisher East Bengal, Bengaluru and Mohun Bagan all are in the championship race and the team would need to be watchful.
The Mariners are expected to start with their regular starting eleven with Cornell Glen and Jeje Lalpekhlua up front and Debjit Majumder under the woodwork.
Katsumi Yusa will continue marshalling the midfield while Kinshuk Debnath will continue to helm the defense alongside Luciano Sabrosa.
With 22 points from ten matches, this is high time for Mohun Bagan to extend their lead at the top with Bengaluru FC not playing in this weekend before the international break. For Mumbai FC, however, they need to go beyond the injuries and pick up an elusive win.
The Hero I-League battle will kick off at 07:05 pm and it’ll be telecast live on Ten Action.
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…