I-LEAGUE Media Team

KOLKATA: The top two teams of last year’s I-League are ready to lock horns for the first time this season as Kolkata giants East Bengal host defending champions Bengaluru FC at the Salt Lake stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Red and Golds had suffered a disastrous campaign in the Federation Cup and have opened their Hero I-League sojourn with a 1-1 draw against Sporting Clube de Goa.

The biggest worry for East Bengal gaffer Armando Colaco will be the injury of Dudu Omagbemi, who was out of the practice sessions for a few days after suffering a hamstring injury in the first match.

The coach had indicated that he would not include Dudu in the starting line-up against Bengaluru FC and would use him as a substitute only in case of an emergency.

However, skipper Harmanjot Singh Khabra, who faced a lengthy span on the side-lines is all set to feature in the first XI with marquee player Leo Bertos likely to make way for him. Armando may also hand Arnab Mondal a much needed break while Raju Gaikwad is expeected to start at the heart of the defense.

“Bengaluru is a quality side. They had their pre-season training in China and didn’t release players for the ISL. Fatigue is a problem for my side but if we can play as a team, we can earn a good result,” Colaco was quoted saying.

Talking about their opponents, Bengaluru FC are still fresh from a 3-1 thrashing in the hands of Pune FC in the last match and will like to grab all three points from this tie to take their title challenge back on track.

Coach Ashley Westwood left India national team captain Sunil Chhetri on the bench in the last fixture, but the highest scorer of last year’s I-League is expected to start against one of his former teams.

Striker Sean Rooney will be leading the charge for the side while Joshua Walker, the marquee player of the club will be marshalling the midfield along with Eugeneson Lyngdoh.

The two teams have faced each other three times till date, with East Bengal winning all three encounters with an identical 2-0 scoreline.

Both East Bengal and Bengaluru FC have only a solitary point in their kitty, with the former having played a game less. While the hosts will be eager to keep their all win record against the recent Federation Cup winners intact, the travelling squad will be eager to garner their first points against the Kolkata club.

Match KO: Jan 28 @ 7 pm IST
TV Broadcaster: Ten Action
Social Media Hashtag: #KEBvBFC