I-League: East Bengal need to beat champions Dempo for title challenge

After their AFC Cup success and qualification for the pre-quarterfinals, it is back to the I-League for Kolkata giants East Bengal as they visit reigning I-League champions Dempo SC to keep their slim title chances alive.East Bengal are third with 43 points from 23 matches, eight behind Churchill Brothers (51 points, 24 matches) and six behind Pune FC (49 points, 25 matches); while Dempo are fifth with only 36 points.

Dempo had a good start into the campaign, but the longer the league lasted, the worse became their results with a series of losses, something that is very uncommon for India’s best club side in recent years. So coach Armando Colaco say, “There is plenty of pride at stake.”

Injuries, suspensions and internal team issues have plagued the clubs campaign. “The same old problems continue to plague us but the players have now regrouped. This is the time to prove ourselves, again,” Armando added.

While experienced Climax Lawrence and Samir Naik are out due to yellow card suspensions, wing-back Debabrata Roy is injured. This means that Dempo will start with Nigerian Koko Sakibo and Japanese Ryuji Sueoka upfront while, with Climax missing, Peter Carvalho and Godwin Franco will anchor the midfield and once more a rather inexperienced backline will take the field.

“East Bengal is a difficult team and we all know that. They have title ambitions and need all full points from us. It will not be easy for them,” Armando further went on to say.

Meanwhile, East Bengal will want to return to winning ways after four draws in a row, which have just about killed their title ambitions. Their slim chances depend on them winning their three remaining encounters, while Churchill Brothers and Pune FC lose theirs.

The kick-off is slated for 5.15pm at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.