Leaders Mohun Bagan face Wahingdoh hurdle in I-League top of the table clash

Santosh Kashyap

Shillong, April 17 (IANS)

Unbeaten leaders Mohun Bagan would want to continue their dominant form in the I-League football competition when they meet North Eastern outfit Royal Wahingdoh FC on Saturday here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.Mohun Bagan have 28 points with eight wins and four draws after 12 matches. Wahingdoh are right next to them with 23 points from 14 games. Wahingdoh are themselves unconquered in their last six outings.

Royals' coach Santosh Kashyap would welcome back striker Jackichand Singh, after missing his service during Wahingdoh's 1-1 draw against fellow North East club Shillong Lajong FC on April 12. Jackichand has since resumed training and Kashyap will be picking his strongest 11 from a fully fit squad to stop the Mohun Bagan juggernaut.

We will fight till the end: Santosh Kashyap

Kashyap, a former Mohun Bagan coach, said his team's draw against Shillong affected his team's title aspirations.

"We did excellent in the last few minutes and equalised through Kim Song Yong. I am satisfied with the point, however, I believe we could've chased the title had we won," he said.

But he still remained bullish. "The league still has a long way to go and we will see how far we can reach."

Mohun Bagan would like to extend their dream run in the tournament. They defeated Bharat FC 2-0 in their last match and would like to maintain the momentum.

Coach Sanjoy Sen would again bank on his foreign attacking trio of Yusa Katsumi, Sony Norde and Pierre Boya to score and keep the winning momentum intact.

Winning would take Bagan 8 points clear at the top with two games in hand while a win for Wahingdoh would reduce the difference to only 2, thereby giving them a way back to mount a serious challenge.