AIFF Media Team
GOA: Come Hero Federation Cup and both Mohun Bagan and Salgaocar SC are looking for a fresh start especially after their disappointing Hero I-League campaign, though for different reasons.
While Bagan were left disappointed after losing their Hero I-League crown to Bengaluru FC, Salgaocar barely managed to stave-off relegation in a poor season.
The two are now set to clash on Monday (May 2) at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco in the first leg of the Hero Federation Cup.
“It’s a fresh start for us. The Hero I-League campaign was very disappointing as we were desperate to finish a lot higher up the League than what we eventually did. So the Hero Federation Cup is a new opportunity to do well and try and win a Trophy,” Salgaocar Striker Darryl Duffy maintained during the Official pre-match press-conference in Goa.
Meanwhile, the Mariners are clearly hurting from the disappointment of losing the League title after coming so close.
When asked if the Kolkata Club are highly motivated going into the #HeroFedCup opener, Coach Sanjoy Sen admitted they are focussed on finishing the season with a Trophy.
“Definitely! We want to win a Trophy. Whatever is gone has gone and is past now. So our focus is to win this Cup. When we started the season after becoming Champions (last edition of Hero I-League), expectations in Kolkata were just too high. So at least for our supporters we should try our level best,” Sen maintained.
Mohun Bagan striker and India International Jeje Lalpekhlua also echoed the same sentiment.
“We are disappointed to lose the Hero I-League Trophy and this is our new target to get the #HeroFedCup for the fans and for the Team,” Jeje said about the task at hand.
As for Salgaocar FC, the Vasco-based club will see a third Coach at the helm for the season with assistant Coach Mario Soares taking charge for the competition after Santosh Kashyap and the Greens parted ways after the Hero I-League campaign.
Despite a monumental task to start his Coaching assignment, Soares is upbeat and confident.
“We are positive and we will do our best. The boys are high on tempo. Mohun Bagan are a big side but we need to cash in on the home advantage,” Soares who has been the Greens assistant coach for five years, pronounced.
Salgaocar last won the Cup in 2011 while Bagan lifted the Trophy in 2008.
The kick-off on May 2 is at 4.30pm and the match will be streamed live on www.i-league.org
