AFC CUP: Blues face Mariner in the first continental meet

by Chittu Shetty March 13, 2017

India’s two premier side lock horns in their first continental battle at AFC Cup group stage, three days after playing out a goalless draw in the domestic affair.

Defending I league champion and last year’s AFC Cup runners-up Bengaluru FC host Mohun Bagan for the second time in four days at Kanteerava as both sides look to start off their Asian venture on a winning note.

Mohun Bagan domestic title hopes are still within grasp being just seven points adrift, with couple of games still in hand over league leaders Aizawl FC. At the other end, Bengaluru FC’s title hopes are all but over after string of draws, coupled with losses to East Bengal and Churchill brothers, the defending champions are languishing at the mid table with 18 points from 13 games.

Both the side enter the match desperately seeking to prove a point, while Mohun Bagan would want to get back into winning momentum which would be crucial as they enter the final third of the competition, Bengaluru would want to make it big in the Asian circuit where they reached till the finals in the last edition, giving the fans something to cheer for after a disappointing I league season

Also Read: Premier Futsal is back for season 2

Mariners may line up in 4-3-3 formation with Subhasish Bose, who received his marching orders for picking up two bookings four days ago expected to be back in the left back position, Eduardo Fereira and Anas Edathodika will marshal the central defence while Pritam Kotal takes the right. In attack Jeje could come back replacing Balwant Singh to partner with Daryl Duffy, while Sony Norde and Katsumi Yusa would be once again expected to spark some magic. Shilton Paul will continue to guard the post in absence of injured Debjit

Bengaluru on the other hand will continue their 4-3-3 formation; CK Vineeth could be expected to replace Daniel lalhlimpuia alongside Sunil Chhetri and ever impressive Udanta Singh. Watson and Eugeneson alongside Lenny could man the mid-field responsibilities. Jhingan would once again be expected to keep Sony Norde in check while John Johnson and Juan hold the central defence duties. Young Nishu Kumar may once again start at left back position. Arindham Bhatacharya could once again start between the sticks in place of injured Amrinder Singh

It will once again expect to be a feisty encounter with Mohun Bagan seeming to have an edge over their rivals having always coming away with at least a point from their three previous encounters at Kanteerava stadium but one can never underestimate the blues at their own den.