I-League Media Team

KOLKATA: Kingfisher East Bengal FC take on Royal Wahingdoh in the penultimate round of the I-League at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata.

While this will be the last match of the season for the Royals, East Bengal will play another match away from home against Shillong Lajong.

The Red and Golds trail the third placed side by four points and three points are necessary if they want to finish their season on a high. For Royals though a win would only cement their hold on third place, a fine position for the newly promoted team.

The Royals’ away form has been the sole poor point for Santosh Kashyap this season as the side has lost four times away from home.

In their last match against Mohun Bagan too, they were weirdly flat and below par, a departure from their all action performances throughout the season.

Kashyap though said that one cannot expect to win all games, while setting the third spot as a possible target.

“We started the season well, but we cannot win all games. We play good attacking, passing football which was appreciated by all. We outplayed Salgaocar, Shillong. When we lost also we fought well and lost close games not any one sided game. We always went for attacking football and I am proud of my players. Our target is to finish third.”

Royal Wahingdoh gaffer also paid his respects to the Red and Gold brigade.

“Great respect to East Bengal. It is a crucial game and we want to go for positive result. if we win we will finish third it will be a great achievement for this young side and the club.”

Kashyap will look to give Bekay Bewar a start after the striker impressed when he came on as a late substitute and will look for more purchase from his wing wizards, Jackichand Singh and Seityasen Singh.

East Bengal meanwhile have been on a poor run of form off late as they have faced defeat in their last three I-League encounters.

Schattorie cited the example of English champions Chelsea FC to drive home his point regarding the lack of motivation among his players.

“Chelsea was champion last week of England and after that they lost 3-0. When you have nothing to fight for then it is sometimes difficult. Sometimes it is difficult to motivate. We gave away cheap goals against Pune and also in the last game we did the same. The players are not focused and organised. There is lack of communication and leadership.”

The Red and Golds would continue to miss the services of Milan Susak, Robert Lalthlamuana and Lalrinidka Ralte.

However Schattorie did indicate that he was out for six points in his remaining two matches.

“Our target is to get 6 points and get as high as possible.”

Although technically a dead rubber, one can expect a tough battle at Barasat as both teams would look to put points on the board in a pursuit for third.

Kick-off: 24-05-2015@4:30 PM
Hashtag: #KEBvRWFC