Newly promoted side Mumbai FC host East Bengal in the 13th round I-League encounter a
t the Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.The Mumbai outfit has had a good run in the league as compared to other newcomers as they are placed fourth in the table.During their last game against Mohun Bagan they showed that they are a tough opponent but the lack of experience haunts them at regular intervals.Their foreign strikers – Felix Aboagye and Abel Hammond haven't been able to score the goal but they have surely left a mark on the pitch with their mid-fielders Kalia Kulothungan and Riston Rodrigues managing to break into the oppositions den at regular intervals. Their opponent, East Bengal, have been a flop so far in this season. With a star studded line up they have failed to play as a team. With just 13 points in their pocket the Kolkata Giants are placed eighth in the league standings and are looking for resurgence under their coach Subhash Bhowmick. Their striker Sunil Chhetri won't be returning from his English sojourn for the game while Yakubu is yet to reach full fitness after joining late due to a personal tragedy. East Bengal shall look to Renedy Singh and Sanju Pradhan to provide the width and trouble the Mumbai FC backline. The last time, the two teams squared up the best man for the Kolkata side was Renedy Singh. Mumbai FC will be without their central defender Anas who suffered an injury in the training while winger Subhash Chakraborty remains doubtful. Goalkeeper Amit Singha Roy has been ruled out due to injury concerns but the good news is that Kalyan Chaubey is likely to make a comeback. East Bengal will be without central defender Suley Musah but will have the services of Alvito D'Cunha, M.Suresh, Ashim Biswas and Ishmael Addo.The match will be telecast Live at 15.30 hrs on Zee Sports.
MS up against SCG, while JCT host Vasco
Keeping in mind their performance they are likely to be relegated to the second division as Mohammedan Sporting hosts league leaders Sporting Clube De Goa in the 13th round of the ONGC I League at the Salt Lake stadium, Kolkata on Saturday. The Kolkata outfit was lucky to pocket a point as they managed to hold Mumbai outfit Air India last week. The league leaders Sporting Clube De Goa have lost their winning momentum in the last two months and in the last game they suffered a shocking defeat against bottom placed Vasco in Goa. Now, they have Mohammedan, who are second from bottom away from home. The Goan outfits form in Kolkata has been very poor and they have won against Chirag and lost to East Bengal.
The other encounter of the day will witness Punjab outfit JCT facing Goan outfit Vasco at Guru Nanak Dev Stadium ,Ludhiana at 2 PM on Saturday afternoon. The Punjab team has made a good start to the second phase of the I-League as they did in the first by beating the best team in the country – Dempo.With 15 points in their pocket, JCT can only move upwards in the table as they play most of their games at home now and are capable of enjoying home advantage as compared to the other clubs of the country.
MEDIA RELEASE