I-League: Upbeat Salgaocar FC ready to take down unbeaten Mohun Bagan

Salgaocar FC players in training at the BITS Pilani ground on the eve of their clash against Mohun Bagan

Vasco: Fresh from the convincing 3-1 win over their West coast neighbours Mumbai FC, coach Derrick Pereira will be quietly confident ahead of his side’s clash against league leaders Mohun Bagan at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata on Friday. The first leg played in Goa during the early stages of the league finished scoreless.

Speaking at the end of an intense training session on the eve of the team’s departure, the gaffer remarked, “We are aware of Mohun Bagan’s strengths this year. They have some fine attacking players and are the team to beat at the half way stage of the league. We have prepared ourselves well and the boys are raring to go.”

It may be recalled that the Greens put in a stunning second half display to rout Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the Federation Cup earlier this year, this after going down to an early goal.

Derrick has every right to feel confident given that he will have the entire squad available for selection on one of the rare occasions since the start of the league. Scottish striker Darryl Duffy has recovered from his groin injury and Gurjinder Kumar returns after missing the last game through suspension.

The coach had expressed concerns over his team not being able to find the back of the net as often as he’d have hoped for, but his strikers responded in style by finding the back of the net thrice in the last outing, this despite the absence of their main striker.

“We do realise the importance of this game and the eventual bearing it could have on the league. I do not however, believe in putting undue pressure on my players and have asked them to treat it like any other game. We will stick to our game plan and give it a real good go,” he concluded.

Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, are threatening to break away from the chasing pack. High on confidence after a win in the Kolkata Derby where Balwant Singh netted the winner, Mohun Bagan will look to assert their superiority on home soil. They have currently amassed 21 points from 9 games and are well placed with the next 3 games scheduled to be played at home.

Sanjoy Sen, the Mohun Bagan gaffer has cautioned the players against complacency, a feature he believes has been has been a trend in the past after a win the derby. “We cannot afford to drop our guard and are wary of Salgaocar, whom we are yet to beat this season,” he remarked.

Despite having 2 games in hand to both Bengaluru FC and Royal Wahingdoh, who clash tomorrow, Mohun Bagan will be well aware of both those teams being within a point and breathing down their neck.

An intriguing battle is on the cards and a win for the Greens will most certainly ensure the title race is thrown wide open.