Quess East Bengal look to get back on title track against bottom-placed Aizawl FC
Aizawl, November 23, 2018: The 25th game of the 12th Hero I-League will see title favourites Quess East Bengal (QEB) take on former champions Aizawl FC at the latter’s home on Saturday, November 24, 2018. The game kicks off at 2 PM at Aizawl’s Rajiv Gandhi stadium.
In a strange coincidence, both teams go into the game on the back of losses to the same opponent and by an identical odd goal in three margins, as well as at their respective home grounds to the current leaders Chennai City FC.
As a result QEB had their 100% win record at the start of the league all messed up and find themselves in fourth position after three games while Aizawl have had a much tougher start, managing just two points from their first five games and are at the bottom of the points table without a win to their name so far.
It does look like a mountain to climb for coach Gift Raikhan’s home team, given their strikers are not scoring and three of the five goals they have scored so far have come from setpieces. Liberian striker Ansumanah Kromah did manage to get a field goal to his name in the last game but returns clearly need to be much better.
Two players, Raikhan will surely look to play if he can, are Kyrgyzstani midfielder Bektur Talgat and Nigerian centre-back Kareem Nurain. On the evidence so far Bektur has looked the most enterprising among all Aizawl midfielders and deserves more game time than what he has been getting. Kareem not only brings a lot of solidity in defence but also has a history of scoring goals. His absence in the last game due to injury made Aizawl all the more fallible.
Gift Raikhan made no attempts to hide his desperation on match day eve saying, “We are yet to win a match. We need that badly. Once we achieve it, I am sure we’ll gain more confidence for the upcoming matches. We’ll attack against East Bengal. But while attacking, we shouldn’t make any mistake in defence. We committed one and Chennai punished us. That’s one area where we should be more careful tomorrow.”
For the visitors, they need to put the last game, where they were outplayed by Chennai at home, behind them and refocus. Their main problem has been their midfield failing to take control and Syrian midfield general Mahmoud Al Amna’s absence due to injury is surely being felt by their Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez.
QEB’s strikers Jobby Justin and Mexican Enrique Esqueda have scored five goals between them but coach Menendez might take the opportunity to test out Bali Gagandeep in this game. The striker who played a key role in Minerva’s title win last season is yet to get a game.
Speaking before the game, coach Menendez said, We are worried about Aizawl’s high-intensity game. Their energy level is very high and we have to be apt to get a win against them. After the last match, we have to get back to the winning ways sooner than later and tomorrow we’ll try our level best to get that win. Aizawl haven’t been able to get a win so far but that doesn’t mean that they are going to be an easy opponent. We have seen their last match and we know how challenging this match is going to be.”
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
RFDL is the ultimate scouting platform – Thangboi Singto, Hyderabad FC Head Coach
Hyderabad FC head coach, Thangboi Singto, hailed the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as the premier scouting ground for budding football players in India. As the 2023-24 season’s National Championship…
Big brother, wonderful human being, the GOAT: Chhetri an inspiration to teammates
BHUBANESWAR: As the Indian senior men’s team gathered in the Kalinga Stadium gym for their session on Thursday morning, there was a hush in the room. Less than an hour ago,…
Sunil Chhetri: A glorious international career at a glance
Born: August 3, 1984 Debut on June 12, 2005: vs Pakistan (Quetta) Matches played: 150 (captain in 87 matches) Goals scored: 94 (Top goalscorer for India) Trophies Won– Achievements– Awards– Also Read: Big brother, wonderful…
A beautiful dream will come to an end on June 6, says Sunil Chhetri
BHUBANESWAR: The journey that began in 2006 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end in Kolkata on June 6, 2024, after an eventful 19…
Chembur United-Jupiter FC and GKW Ranger Ease Past in their Outing in MFA First Division
In an exhilarating showdown in the MFA First Division, Chembur United-Jupiter FC cruised past Companeroes SC with a comprehensive 4-0 victory, while GKW Rangers edged out MH Oranje FC with…
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…