I-League Media Team
KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan take on Sporting clube de Goa at the Barasat Stadium on Saturday in what is sure to be a grudge match after the Flaming Oranje bested their counterparts 2-1 in Goa.
However the match holds far greater significance than that, as the Mariners will put themselves firmly in the driver’s seat if they manage to capture three points in the contest.
With the league evenly poised with Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan tied on 35 points each, with two games left to play a win will mean that the Kolkata side will only need a point from Bengaluru to secure their maiden I-League crown, even if the Blues win against Dempo SC.
Sporting are on a great run of form and are unbeaten in their last seven matches, picking up four wins and three draws in the process.
Their resurgence has been led by the young Brandon Fernandes and the experienced Odafa Okolie, both of whom would look to play a prime part tomorrow. On top of that, Anthony Wolfe is back in the team with Miguel Garcia expected to marshal their defense.
“We need three points tomorrow. If we get three points, we will save relegation,” said Mateus Costa, the head coach.
Costa also accepted that their team had a woeful first half of the season and it was not only Odafa but the whole team which had improved.
“Yes, our first part of the season had been very poor. But credit to the boys for coming back so strong. It’s not only Odafa but the entire team which is responsible for the comeback.”
Sandesh Jhingan did not travel with the team and is expected to join later in the evening with Costa remarking that a decision on whether to play him will be taken on matchday morning.
Sanjoy Sen, meanwhile had a weight off his shoulder after the 2-0 win over Royal Wahingdoh. This came after a three game winless run, where Mohun Bagan only picked up a point giving a sound jolt to their title credentials.
The Mohun Bagan gaffer reiterated, “It was the players who brought the pressure on them and like last game they themselves dealt with it. So its their turn to stand up and be counted once more.”
Meanwhile, Sony Norde, Sehnaj Singh and Kingshuk Debnath would be walking a tightrope as they are only a booking away from being suspended in the title decider against Bengaluru.
Denson Devadas and Debjit Majumder will miss out due to injuries while Sukhen Dey and Dhanachandra Singh are both nursing minor injuries and need to be assessed. Balwant Singh too, has a fever and the gaffer has to make a few tough choices come match day.
A win would seal Sporting’s safety while Mohun Bagan’s loss will put the daunting task of having to beat Bengaluru in their backyard in front of them, considering that the Blues make short work of Dempo.
Interestingly, a loss tomorrow will not mean the end of their respective aspirations for both teams as they both have a lifeline in hand.
Kick-off: 23-05-2015@ 4:30 PM
Hashtag: #MMBvSCG
