KOLKATA: In an another Kolkata derby, Kingfisher East Bengal would take on their traditional rivals McDowells Mohun Bagan, in the curcial 19th round I League encounter, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.
Both teams are at a critical juncture in their season with East Bengal on 34 points from 18 matches, while Mohun Bagan are just a point behind from 18 outings.
The Mariners did win the first encounter between the two sides earlier. But Saturday’s tie is the "home" match for Red and Gold and it is to be seen if they can register win in their home colours.
The coach of East Bengal Trevor Morgan said, “There is no additional pressure of this match, the way people are making it out to be. It is another important I-League match with 3 points at stake. Bagan is playing well and Odafa Okalie is their main man upfront as he has been regularly among the goal scorers. However, we have plans and hope we would stick to them.”
Technical Director of Mohun Bagan, Subrata Bhattacharya when asked whether he was looking forward to a hat trick of wins over KEB said, He did not look at it like that, “Despite having beaten them in the local League and in the first leg of the I-League, we really can’t afford to take them lightly, we have to stay focused.”
When asked about the inclusion of India International Syed Rahim Nabi, who did not practice with the team “If he will be fully fit then only he would be playing otherwise many players have the capability to replace him for the match,” he quipped.
It is to be seen in this top of the table clash that, whether, Mohun Bagan would be able to leapfrog East Bengal or the host would keep the honour to remain at the top.
From the History books:
East Bengal - 331st match and have scored 476 goals in I League/NFL.
Mohun Bagan - 317th match and have scored 420 goals in I League/NFL.
Both the teams have scored 32 goals each in this season's league at the end of 18th round.
Head to Head in I League:
Total Matches - 29
East Bengal Won - 12
Mohun Bagan Won - 10
Drawn - 7
East Bengal Goals - 33
Mohun Bagan Goals - 27
Last Five Meetings in I League:
Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 5-3 (25.10.09 )
Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 2-1 (16.5.10 )
Mohun Bagan d/w East Bengal 1-1 (6.2.11)
East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan 2-1 (9.4.11 )
Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 1-0 (20.11.11 )
Leading Scorers in I League/NFL Derby Clashes
Jose Barreto - 7 (All for Mohun Bagan)
Baichung Bhutia - 6 (2 for East Bengal and 4 for Mohun Bagan)
Syed Rahim Nabi - 4 (All for East Bengal)
Head to Head in All Tournaments
Total Matches - 300
East Bengal - 112
Mohun Bagan Won - 85
Drawn - 103
East Bengal Goals - 272
Mohun Bagan Goals - 226
Leading Scorers:
Baichung Bhutia - 19 (13 for East Bengal and 6 for Mohun Bagan)
Jose Barreto - 17 (All for East Bengal)
Both teams are at a critical juncture in their season with East Bengal on 34 points from 18 matches, while Mohun Bagan are just a point behind from 18 outings.
The Mariners did win the first encounter between the two sides earlier. But Saturday’s tie is the "home" match for Red and Gold and it is to be seen if they can register win in their home colours.
The coach of East Bengal Trevor Morgan said, “There is no additional pressure of this match, the way people are making it out to be. It is another important I-League match with 3 points at stake. Bagan is playing well and Odafa Okalie is their main man upfront as he has been regularly among the goal scorers. However, we have plans and hope we would stick to them.”
Technical Director of Mohun Bagan, Subrata Bhattacharya when asked whether he was looking forward to a hat trick of wins over KEB said, He did not look at it like that, “Despite having beaten them in the local League and in the first leg of the I-League, we really can’t afford to take them lightly, we have to stay focused.”
When asked about the inclusion of India International Syed Rahim Nabi, who did not practice with the team “If he will be fully fit then only he would be playing otherwise many players have the capability to replace him for the match,” he quipped.
It is to be seen in this top of the table clash that, whether, Mohun Bagan would be able to leapfrog East Bengal or the host would keep the honour to remain at the top.
From the History books:
East Bengal - 331st match and have scored 476 goals in I League/NFL.
Mohun Bagan - 317th match and have scored 420 goals in I League/NFL.
Both the teams have scored 32 goals each in this season's league at the end of 18th round.
Head to Head in I League:
Total Matches - 29
East Bengal Won - 12
Mohun Bagan Won - 10
Drawn - 7
East Bengal Goals - 33
Mohun Bagan Goals - 27
Last Five Meetings in I League:
Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 5-3 (25.10.09 )
Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 2-1 (16.5.10 )
Mohun Bagan d/w East Bengal 1-1 (6.2.11)
East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan 2-1 (9.4.11 )
Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 1-0 (20.11.11 )
Leading Scorers in I League/NFL Derby Clashes
Jose Barreto - 7 (All for Mohun Bagan)
Baichung Bhutia - 6 (2 for East Bengal and 4 for Mohun Bagan)
Syed Rahim Nabi - 4 (All for East Bengal)
Head to Head in All Tournaments
Total Matches - 300
East Bengal - 112
Mohun Bagan Won - 85
Drawn - 103
East Bengal Goals - 272
Mohun Bagan Goals - 226
Leading Scorers:
Baichung Bhutia - 19 (13 for East Bengal and 6 for Mohun Bagan)
Jose Barreto - 17 (All for East Bengal)