Prayag aim to begin on a high against Air India

KOLKATA: Prayag United SC will look to put behind the disappointment of the Federation Cup and start their I-League campaign with a win when they meet Air India in the opening round of the I-League on Sunday.

Having strung together a big-budget squad this season, expectations stay high. “I appreciate the team management’s expectations especially after investing so much on the team. I’m sure the team will start performing to its potential very soon,” Coach Sanjoy Sen said after the team’s regular practice session.

Prayag will be looking at their multi-crore acquisition of Nigerian Ranti Martins and Costa Rican World Cupper Carlos Hernades to deliver the goods and begin their campaign on a high.

However, the team will be missing its star goalkeeper Subrata Paul owing to injury. Even India defender Gourmangi Singh is uncertain with fever and Sen hinted at Sangram Mukherjee and Dhanachandra Singh being the two possible replacements.

Meanwhile, Air India stay geared up to pick a point from the ‘away’ match. The team will be depending on the two foreigners — Elijah Junior and Henry Ezeh to lead the team attack against the city outfit.

“Our opponents have signed many a high-profile player but on the field performance matters,” Junior maintained after Air India’s practice.

The kick-off is at 2.30pm.