I-LEAGUE Media Team

NEW DELHI: Kolkata heavyweights East Bengal open their account in the U-19 I-League 2014/15 as they take on Mohammedan Sporting at the East Bengal Club Ground on Sunday, December 14, in the second match from the Kolkata Zone.

THE TEAMS AT A GLANCE:

EAST BENGAL U-19

Overview: Head Coach of the East Bengal colts, Tarun Dey is highly optimistic about the team’s performance in the ensuing U19 I-League.He especially marked out strikers Somnath Nayek and Midfielders Soumen Majumdar and Sukamal Basu who were were expected to perform well.The team is also likely to be bolstered from some of the U19 members of the senior squad.

Practice Venue: East Bengal Club Ground

Home Match venue: East Bengal Club Ground, Kolkata Maidan

Practice matches played: The team had an intense practice regime this season and played a number of practice matches.They played back to back practice matches with the East Bengal senior team in early November.The first match was drawn 1-1 while the Senior team edged got past the U19 squad 3-2 in the second match.

The team also played a friendly against defending U-19 Champions Tata Football Academy and Army XI.

Quote from Tarun Dey (Head Coach): “As we were the runners-up in the U-19 I-League last year, we are very confident to perform better this time, and we will maintain our standard and quality.”

Previous U-19 I-League record: East Bengal U-19 topped the qualifiers from the Kolkata Zone and finished runners-up in the Final Round of the tournament.

MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING U-19

Training Routine: The U-19 colts train five days a week, with a dedicated practice match in the sixth day, and a rest day in the next.

Practice matches played:

Against Dalhousie Ground at the Greer Ground on October 24, where the MDSP colts secured a 1-0 win.

Against the MDSP Senior Team at the Howrah Maidan on November 15, where the U-19 boys lost 0-2.

Against Bata Sports Club at the Bata Ground on November 20, where the colts recorded a 5-3 win.

Practice venue: Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality Ground

Home match Venue: Rajpur-Sonarpur Ground

Quote from Tushar Majumdar (Head Coach): “I am very sure that the squad is very energetic, excited, and in good touch to prove their mettle in the U-19 I-League. I have much expectations from this boys to reach the top of the table.”

Previous U-19 I-League record: In the previous edition of the tournament, they finished rock-bottom in the Kolkata Zone.

(Attached pic: East Bengal U19 Team)