I-League Media Team

LUDHIANA: Minerva Punjab are all set on welcoming Mohun Bagan to Ludhiana in what would be a crucial encounter to decide on I-League fortunes for the Federation Cup champions.

Surinder Singh’s side has been on a wretched run of form of late having last tasted victory five matches ago, with disappointing losses against Chennai City, Lajong, and Bengaluru part of their last five matches at home.

“We were not able to finish the last match. Definitely this time we will need to ensure that the ball goes into the net. The boys know that it is important to win so that we go into the Federation Cup,” said Singh.

The lack of goals upfront has continued to be a problem for the side whose top scorer is Loveday Enyinnaya with 3 goals. However, Loveday carried a niggle and looked unlikely to start. 

The side will look to regain the form which saw them put five past Churchill Brothers in Goa and stifle their dangerous opponents, with Mohun Bagan’s challengers looking on.

The likes of David Ngaihte, Manandeep Singh and Souvik Das who were benched last time around will look to start but the defense of Kareem Nurain and Loveday have to be extra alert to avert the Bagan onslaught.

As for the away side, they are currently top of the table, tied on points with Aizawl. Yet, there was a lot left to be answered going by the sluggish performance against Shillong Lajong midweek.

The weary Bagan side need to recover real quick to finish champions, twice in three years – something which is completely in their own hands.

A win against Minerva will certainly kick start that process and Mohun Bagan will need their talisman Sony Norde to be back in the reckoning once more.

“We are looking for a win because we only have three matches left. Aizawl and East Bengal are close and so you need to win if you want to win the championship. It will not be easy and we have to work hard but we will play for three points,” stressed Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen about the need to win. 

Jeje Lalpekhlua will be given a start after scoring a wonderful goal from the bench and alongside Darryl Duffy, should be a handful against Minerva. Duffy and Jeje had scored a brace each in Bagan’s 4-0 thrashing of Minerva at home.

“We have to travel 14 hours from Meghalaya. Our players were tired yesterday but somehow we have to manage and there will be no excuses from us,” said Sen.

Prabir Das has done enough to warrant a start in place of the struggling Raju Gaikwad at left back but it will remain to be seen if Sanjoy Sen prefers status quo.

Sen though was critical of the organization and especially the training in the afternoon heat.

“We wanted to train at 4.30 PM but we were given a session from 12 pm – 1 pm. I think it’s a lapse in the organization on part of Minerva. Now adding to this, I have to train and bring a player to the press conference at this time, the player will not get to eat. Anyways, thank you very much for cooperating with us,” said Sen scathingly.

The match iwll kick off at 07:00 PM and it’ll be broadcast live on Ten 2.