I-League: East Bengal up against ONGC and cold

East Bengal will be banking on Chidi Edeh to find the back of the net.

NEW DELHI: Title contenders East Bengal will not only be up against a confident ONGC outfit but also the nippy weather conditions in the capital, in their 15^th round I League match here at the Ambedkar Stadium on Saturday (January 8, 2013).

Coming from Goa where the temperature is in the region of 31°C, the Kolkata giants who are placed third in the I League table with 27 points from 13 matches will find it difficult to acclimatise with the massive temperature dip in New Delhi.

“In Goa we were roaming around in shorts and t-shirts. Suddenly from that to the temperature here, well it takes a beating. It will be difficult no doubt but top sides have to adjust to every weather condition and we will do that. I am sure it won’t be a problem. The cold can never be an excuse. Our determination will get the better of this cold I am sure,” Morgan quipped on the sidelines of his side’s practice session on Friday (December 7, 2013).

“Indian National Team player and East Bengal senior pro Mehtab Hossain reiterated his boss. “It’s very cold. What’s making matters worse is the icy-cold wind. Coming from Goa, it becomes all the more difficult to adjust. But we are a top side and aim to clinch the title this season. So whatever the condition maybe, we have to adjust and give our best. ONGC are very strong at home and we have to be on our toes.”

Morgan said that the two consecutive losses against Prayag United SC and Mumbai FC recently were blown out of proportion.

“I am blessed with a 24-member squad where every player is capable to be in the starting XI. We were derailed by two consecutive bad results. If the Prayag United match was evenly contested and could have been anybody’s game, against Mumbai FC the better side won. You don’t win everyday. There was lot of hue and cry about the two reversals. You have to remember that we have been on a 32-game unbeaten run as well. We have conceded only five goals so far, the least this season. So I am not concerned about just a bad day in office,” added Morgan.

While East Bengal will be without the services of midfielders Sanju Pradhan and Harmanjyot Singh Khabra, ONGC have to start sans their star striker Eric Brown who is suspended for the game.

ONGC coach Santosh Kashyap though feels that Brown’s absence won’t be a big problem. “Keni (Kenistan) and Kailash (Patel) are back. So I don’t think there will be any problem. Football is a team game after all.”

“We are confident are after the string of god results. The players are upbeat and raring to go. So I am confident of winning the match,” added the former Air India boss.

Kashyap was of the same opinion as his counterpart regarding severe weather conditions going against East Bengal. “They are professionals. I don’t think the cold will be a problem at all. We are on the same boat as far as that is concerned.”

Morgan was all praise too about Kashyap and his side. “He was given very little time at Mohun Bagan. He is proving his mettle here at ONGC. The team is doing really well under him. We have to put our best foot forward.”

Match starts 2PM