By I-League Media

SILIGURI: A dead rubber when it comes to deciding the I-League championship, yet Mohun Bagan have indeed a lot at stake when they take on the recently crowned victors, Bengaluru FC in the final encounter of the season at Siliguri.

The Blues wrapped up the season with a regulation win against Salgaocar at the Fortress, to win their 2nd title in three seasons. While the title has been reclaimed, Ashley Westwood and his men would obviously want to sign off with a win against Mohun Bagan, especially considering their home defeat against them, “There will be no sense of complacency going into the match, anyone who knows me knows that I like to win. Obviously we have a huge match next in the AFC Cup but we would find and put the best side to try and get a result”, said a confident Ashley Westwood on the eve of the match.”

Ashley Westwood will look to finish with a bang and all the regulars have indeed traveled to Siliguri for the same. Sunil Chhetri, Seong-Yong Kim and Udanta Singh will be the ones leading the line as the squad will largely remain unchanged. The influential Eugeneson Lyngdoh whose return to the side has led them to the title will look to marshal the midfield alongside Michael Collins.

The regular centre-back pairing of Curtis Osano and John Johnson will be deployed to thwart the dangerous Bagan attack. Going back almost a year ago where Mohun Bagan drew 1-1 to clinch the trophy, Westwood did not see this one as an opportunity for vengeance. He said, “They did not win the match last season, so that to me is a draw. But, we don’t have grudge matches against sides. All I care about is winning championships.”

For Sanjoy Sen though, it was a turbulent season that failed to live up to how it began. They began with an 11 match unbeaten streak, but coupled with Sen being banned from the touchline their decline started with the shock defeat against Aizawl FC. Winless since then, Sen lamented that they literally gifted the league away to the Rovers.

He however was quick to add that Bengaluru did indeed deserve to win the title this time around.

“Bengaluru FC deserved to win the trophy. We lost the opportunity and we are to be blamed for not making the most of it. See Barcelona – they were leading by seven points but now they have the same points (79) as Atletico de Madrid. Everybody was saying that Barcelona will win the La Liga. So if it can happen with Barcelona, it can happen to Mohun Bagan or any team. That is the beauty of the league all over the world,” stressed the gaffer.

The nonchalant form notwithstanding, Sen said that a win against Bengaluru was necessary as he wanted to finish in the second spot. With East Bengal playing a day after, a win against Bengaluru will seal the deal without having to depend on their bitter rivals to slip up. A double over Bengaluru FC in the season might not win the Hero I-League but will do wonders for team morale, as the Mariners still chase AFC Cup glory.

“Our primary task (defending I-League championship) is over now. We have almost qualified for the knockout stages in the AFC Cup. Another two matches left (Maziya away and South China at home) and we will be hoping to lead the table. That will be our target for now,” asserted Sen.

Debjit Majumder has not travelled to Siliguri and will be replaced by Arnab Das Sarma in goal. Pronay Haldar remains suspended and might be replaced by Bikramjit Singh in midfield. Sony Norde and Katsumi Yusa will reprise their roles as the chief creative outlet in the team. Jeje Lalpekhlua will shoulder the responsibility of leading the line alongside Cornell Glen.

A match which might not have much significance on paper, should actually have enough motivation for both teams to put out a cracker of a display. The match, which is slated to kick off at 07:05 PM, will be broadcast on Ten 2.