AGENCIES, KOLKATA: Quess East Bengal (QEB) return to the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK) this Saturday on Leap Day to take on Goan visitors Churchill Brothers.
Incidentally, this is going to be East Bengal’s first Hero I-League home encounter at the iconic venue in the heart of the city.
Having succumbed to five defeats since the turn of the year, the season hasn’t been kind on the Red and Golds but after having notched two wins on the trot, QEB have seen themselves out of the relegation scrap, for now, to rise to fourth on the table.
On Saturday, the Kolkata giants have an opportunity to put their chaotic run behind them and could rise to second place, based on the outcome of the third and final Super Saturday fixture featuring Gokulam Kerala v Punjab, right after.
Real Kashmir will face Aizawl in the first fixture of the day.
Churchill Brothers FC Goa, currently third on the table, had their winning run thwarted by the Red and Gold’s arch-rivals Mohun Bagan.
However, the Red Machines’ last trip to the city of joy was one to remember, running out 4-2 winners against the league leaders and till date, remain the only side to have inflicted defeat on Bagan this season. “Defeats are always disappointing but we have learnt from the mistakes we made and hopefully against Quess East Bengal, we can make it count and come home with a result”, he concluded.
Churchill were also the first team to stop QEB’s unbeaten run following the turn of the year, courtesy of the Willis Plaza’s last-minute header.
The defeat ignited a downward spiral for the Red & Golds but a win tomorrow will heal some of their wounds and continue their resurgence.
