Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan face Air India in a second round I-League clash at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata later today.
Mohun Bagan
The Kolkata champions had a disappointing start to their I-League campaign last year and it took four games for them to register their first win. Any guesses who was the opposition?
It was skipper Bhaichung Bhutia who led them from the front as his two goals buried Air India last season despite the fact that it was the Mumbai club who had the better of the opportunities, according to Coach Bimal Ghosh.
The Green and Maroon don’t have Bhaichung this time which automatically puts the onus on Jose Baretto. Unlike some of the other big teams like Dempo, East Bengal, Mahindra United and Churchill Brothers, they two reliable names which come to mind in Bagan squad are the two B’s – Bhaichung and Baretto.
Going by their form in the last game against Mumbai FC, they need some inspiration in the middle, which sadly for Bagan fans is inexperienced and crowded by players who have been inconsistent.
Coach Karim Bencherifa would turn to one such player – Lal Kamal Bhowmick, who has promised so much but hasn’t delivered on a number of occasions.
The Kolkata team haven’t yet signed their third foreigner and it shows the lackadaisical and easy going nature. They even reportedly blamed the pitch conditions for their defeat and Salt Lake Stadium would definitely be a better bet for them.
The lack of a genuine playmaker is hurting and whether Bencherifa’s boys would come out in glory remains to be seen.
Air India
The Mumbai club has done fairly well considering they had as many as six new players against Mohameddan Sporting in their opening game. Bimal Ghosh’s men played well and were the better side in the 1-1 draw.
It was only because of a defensive mistake that Mohameddan were able to make a come back, not to take anything away from Theodore Sunday’s class.
Michael Tayo, Surojit Bose and Soccor Velho looked at ease and came up with some good counter attacks. Uttam Singh’s venomous throw-ins are always a danger.
Kailash Patil is expected to play in place of Samson Singh who is nursing a niggling injury.
Form Guide
Mohun Bagan
27th September ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-2 Mumbai FC (I-League)
12th September ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-1 East Bengal (Kolkata League)
9th September ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-0 Camellia George (Kolkata League)
Air India
29th September ’08 Mohameddan Sporting 1-1 Air India (I-League)
1st September ’08 JCT 1-0 Air India (Durand Cup)
30th August ’08 Sporting Club De Goa 1-0 Air India (Durand Cup)
Team News
Mohun Bagan are crippled with injuries to several players. Goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee, defenders Deepak Mandal and Habibur Rahman, and skipper Bhaichung Bhutia have been ruled out of the game. Lal Kamal Bhowmick, N.Mohanraj, Rahul Kumar and Lalwampuia are expected to start.
Air India are without striker Samson Singh and are set to unveil Kailash Patil on the Kolkata giants.
Key Players
The home side would bank on Baretto and Lalwampuia to click and win the game for them. For Air India, midfielder Michael Tayo could dominate the Bagan midfield and thus be an important man for his side.
Key Areas
Air India are often very defensive and tough to break down as they put as many persons behind the ball and crowd the box. It restricts the opposition to go for long shots, which are they are fairly comfortable with.
Bagan would have to think of ways to overpower Air India, who can be deadly on counters. Lalwampuia’s pace could add more power to Bagan’s attack which could trouble the Air India backline.
Mohun Bagan
The Kolkata champions had a disappointing start to their I-League campaign last year and it took four games for them to register their first win. Any guesses who was the opposition?
It was skipper Bhaichung Bhutia who led them from the front as his two goals buried Air India last season despite the fact that it was the Mumbai club who had the better of the opportunities, according to Coach Bimal Ghosh.
The Green and Maroon don’t have Bhaichung this time which automatically puts the onus on Jose Baretto. Unlike some of the other big teams like Dempo, East Bengal, Mahindra United and Churchill Brothers, they two reliable names which come to mind in Bagan squad are the two B’s – Bhaichung and Baretto.
Going by their form in the last game against Mumbai FC, they need some inspiration in the middle, which sadly for Bagan fans is inexperienced and crowded by players who have been inconsistent.
Coach Karim Bencherifa would turn to one such player – Lal Kamal Bhowmick, who has promised so much but hasn’t delivered on a number of occasions.
The Kolkata team haven’t yet signed their third foreigner and it shows the lackadaisical and easy going nature. They even reportedly blamed the pitch conditions for their defeat and Salt Lake Stadium would definitely be a better bet for them.
The lack of a genuine playmaker is hurting and whether Bencherifa’s boys would come out in glory remains to be seen.
Air India
The Mumbai club has done fairly well considering they had as many as six new players against Mohameddan Sporting in their opening game. Bimal Ghosh’s men played well and were the better side in the 1-1 draw.
It was only because of a defensive mistake that Mohameddan were able to make a come back, not to take anything away from Theodore Sunday’s class.
Michael Tayo, Surojit Bose and Soccor Velho looked at ease and came up with some good counter attacks. Uttam Singh’s venomous throw-ins are always a danger.
Kailash Patil is expected to play in place of Samson Singh who is nursing a niggling injury.
Form Guide
Mohun Bagan
27th September ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-2 Mumbai FC (I-League)
12th September ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-1 East Bengal (Kolkata League)
9th September ’08 Mohun Bagan 1-0 Camellia George (Kolkata League)
Air India
29th September ’08 Mohameddan Sporting 1-1 Air India (I-League)
1st September ’08 JCT 1-0 Air India (Durand Cup)
30th August ’08 Sporting Club De Goa 1-0 Air India (Durand Cup)
Team News
Mohun Bagan are crippled with injuries to several players. Goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee, defenders Deepak Mandal and Habibur Rahman, and skipper Bhaichung Bhutia have been ruled out of the game. Lal Kamal Bhowmick, N.Mohanraj, Rahul Kumar and Lalwampuia are expected to start.
Air India are without striker Samson Singh and are set to unveil Kailash Patil on the Kolkata giants.
Key Players
The home side would bank on Baretto and Lalwampuia to click and win the game for them. For Air India, midfielder Michael Tayo could dominate the Bagan midfield and thus be an important man for his side.
Key Areas
Air India are often very defensive and tough to break down as they put as many persons behind the ball and crowd the box. It restricts the opposition to go for long shots, which are they are fairly comfortable with.
Bagan would have to think of ways to overpower Air India, who can be deadly on counters. Lalwampuia’s pace could add more power to Bagan’s attack which could trouble the Air India backline.
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