AFC Cup Preview: Mohun Bagan vs. Bengaluru FC

by Chittu Shetty May 17, 2017

Already out of the competition, Marines face Blues for the fifth time this season with top spot in group E of AFC Cup at stake for the southerners

With another meet in a few days time for the big federation Cup final that gives a chance to play in AFC Cup next year, both teams will possibly look to field a second string side with contrasting circumstances.

While Mohun Bagan are almost out of their AFC sojourn, Sanjoy Sen would want to rest his side after having played 4 games in the span of a week for the big finale in four days time coincidentally against the same opponent. Bengaluru FC, at the other end, are doing their best to qualify to the knockout stages of the continental tournament. But with suspensions, injury concerns and another important fixture within four days meant Albert Roca & co. have a huge task ahead.

Mariners would look to rest their star players Sony Norde and Darryl Duffy while Eduardo Fereira could replace Anas, who has caught some slight niggle. For the southerners, talismanic captain and their leading scorer Sunil Chhetri is out of contention, while Khabra and Johnson are suspended. Juanan and Watson have been rested and have not traveled with the team, which means youngsters like Gursimrat Gill could get a start. Cornell glen, blues fourth foreigner in the side, is also out of contention after having been not registered earlier in the tournament.

Also Read: Mohun Bagan triumph in an intense derby encounter

Group leaders Bengaluru FC were condemned to a surprise 2-0 defeat in the last round by Abahani Dhaka and so will be desperate to get back to winning ways and keep the top spot occupied. A win here for the southerners will mean qualification from the group is in their own hands when the team faces Maziya Sports and Recreation on the final group stage match day. At the other end, Mariners were condemned to a disappointing 5-2 loss against the Maldivians side and so will want to be on a winning end after having won just one game in Group E so far.

Blues will field an all Indian line up with CK Vineeth or Eugeneson, probably leading the team. Salam Ranjan Singh and Sandesh Jhingan will man the defense as Udanta Singh and Seminlen Doungel look to get starts and lead the attack alongside Vineeth. For Mariners, Kean Lewis and Prabir Das could start on either wings with Katsumi Yusa expected to spearhead the second string side.

Last four meet between the two teams this season has been quite even with both having won a game apiece and other two games ending in a draw. While there is a bigger fish at the end of the week for both sides, this game will be the perfect base to test their backup.

Kick Off: 7 PM, Rabinder Sarobar Stadium