I-League Media Team

KOLKATA: East Bengal take on Dempo FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in a Round 19 encounter in the I-League, which is entering into the last quarter of matches.

The Red and Golds in their earlier meeting this season thrashed the SuperWhites 5-1 in Goa, with league’s highest scorer Ranti Martins bagging all the five goals in the thrashing while Carlos Hernandez was the lone Dempo scorer.

While Ranti is fit and raring to go, after scoring the winning goal in their last tie against Salgaocar, Carlos is added to the injury list along with long term absentees Pranoy Halder and Narayan Das.

What has come as a relief for new gaffer, Trevor Morgan as he takes on his former team has been the return to fitness of their talisman, Tolgay Ozbey, another former Red and Golds player.

It was the Tolgay show in the last two matches where he came off the bench to secure two back to back victories for the Goan side.

“Tolgay is 75% fit now. He was not there last time around and did well in the last two matches. So, we are hoping for a good match tomorrow.” was what assistant coach, Mauricio Afonso had to say before the encounter.

Afonso was startled on hearing that the match would be played before empty stands, due to the municipal election in Bengal and said it might be a problem for the hosts.

“I have never played before empty stands in Kolkata, but everywhere else it’s always empty. That will not be a problem for us, but it can be for the hosts.”

Eelco Schattorie’s side meanwhile will still be missing Lalrindika Ralte as Harmanjot Singh Khabra deputizes in midfield while Leo Bertos making himself an important member in the first XI.

Schattorie who has continued insisting that it will take time to make his players follow his ‘process’ has been critical of his side’s reliance on long balls.

East Bengal’s recent form though has been pretty good, as in their last four matches in the league, they have won 3 and drawn 1. Schattorie would also draw on Ranti’s masterclass which led him to his first victory with the Kolkata club and will only hope more of the better.

While Dempo will fight hard to take revenge, East Bengal will look to pick up another victory to ensure their late push towards the title.

Kick-off: 25-04-2015 @4:30 PM
Hashtag: #KEBvDEM