KOLKATA: “We have to win everything from this point,” East Bengal coach, Trevor James Morgan sounded the battle alarm for his team, who have their sights set on the I-League title. Three consecutive draws came as a real disenchantment for the Kolkata giants, who now desperately look to get their campaign back on rail in the 24th round outing against Sporting Clube de Goa at Salt Lake Stadium, here, Sunday. The kick-off is at 3.30 p.m.
“Winning all our matches remains the only option for us. Churchill Bros are ahead of us on points but all is not lost and still a lot of things can change. So will approach our own target first and will look at other results,” Morgan laid down the objective in clear words.
East Bengal, who had a goalless outing against Sporting Clube visiting the latter in the first phase of the tournament, will have to contain with a couple of suspensions and injuries to some of their key players.
Midfielders Mehtab Hossain and Harmanjot Khabra have booking problems while the likes of striker Andrew Barisic, midfielder Naoba Singh and defender Saumik Dey are nursing injuries. “We will take a call on the final XI in the morning. Our opponents are strong and we will have to give our best to make a match out of it. My players are professionals and they understand their job well,” Morgan said.
Sporting Clube will be missing the services of striker Dawson Fernandes and defender Joyner Lourenco due to suspension. “We know East Bengal are a good side and they will be even dangerous on home turf. I have told my boys to be more cautious in their approach,” said Sporting Clube coach, Oscar Bruzon.
Sporting Clube lost 1-5 at home in their previous match against Mohun Bagan after witnessing a spate of favourable results under their new Spanish coach. Bruzon said the team will try to put that result behind and bounce back to its original form. “I think that was a bad day in office. Tomorrow will be a new day. We will try to regroup and get our winning rhythm back,” he said.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Pune will take on ONGC in a Round 24 I-League encounter.
Pune are currently placed fourth in the points table with 37 points from 21 matches, 10 points behind leaders Churchill Brothers.
In Shillong, Shillong Lajong will host Mumbai FC at the JN Sports Complex, on Sunday, at 4 p.m.
