I-LEAGUE Media Team

NEW DELHI: McDowell Mohun Bagan will start their Hero I-League campaign against Mumbai FC on Sunday afternoon at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata.

The two competing sides were neighbours in the final table of the last I-League, ending the season with 28 points from 24 matches.

However, both the teams will try to start the journey on a high note and an exciting encounter is in the offing.

Sanjoy Sen, the Mohun Bagan coach has one of the best attacking sides of the league, but it remains to be seen whether the defense has fully recovered from the 4-1 drubbing in the hands of Salgaocar.

Yusa Katsumi, Balwant Singh, Sony Norde are all fit to pose a stern test for the Mumbai defense, while Kingshuk Debnath and Bello Rasaq will have the primary responsibility to stop the Mumbai attackers.

Pierre Boya, the marquee foreigner of the side didn’t take part in the practice session on Friday, and will not feature in the match.

“Boya has an injury and doesn’t want to risk himself tomorrow. I agree with him and want to reserve him for the next matches,” Sen informed after the pre-match practice session on Saturday.

In his absence Haiti international Sony Norde will start upfront with Yusa Katsumi operating from the right wing. Balwant Singh is all set to get the nod ahead of the likes of C.S. Sabeeth and Jeje Lalpekhlua.

The Green and Maroons, who failed to make it to the last four of the Federation Cup, will also miss defender Dhanachandra Singh due to injury.

Though Mumbai FC have not got the better of Mohun Bagan in the last six meetings between the two clubs, Khalid Jamil’s men will be desperate to end the winless streak.

The side has an experienced foreign contingent with all among Chika Wali, Taisuke Matsugae and Josimar having previous experience in Indian football.

Mohammed Rafi and Josimar will start upfront for the away side, with veteran Climax Lawrence, the skipper of the side, marshalling the central midfield. Young players like Rahul Bheke, Ashutosh Mehta and Jayesh Rane are also expected to start.

Mumbai too crashed out of the group stages of the Federation Cup, winning only one of their four matches. However, if they wish to get rid of their usual mid-table position, they have to ensure a good start this time.

“Mohun Bagan is a good side. But our target is to finish in the top four this season and for that we have to pick something from this match,” Lawrence, a former India international was quoted saying.

With both the sides having blends of youth and experience, it promises to be a close contest tomorrow.