Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: The Seasons first Kolkata Derby

Tomorrow it's derby time in Kolkata when Mohun Bagan AC host East Bengal Club, the Ghotis against the Bangals, in the I-League in the first derby of the season. Ticket sales have been going well, so a crowd of around 100,000 could be expected at the Saltlake Stadium, a fitting surrounding for the derby in which after a long time both clubs are amongst the top sides in the I-League. In the last few years either of the two sides where involved in the title race while the other side was fighting to stay in the league.

Hosts Mohun Bagan will be without centre-back Anwar due to injury, while Brazilian winger Hudson Lima da Silva and Manish Maithani are doubtful starters; but still the green-and-maroon have enough bench strength to compensate for these players.

Mohun Bagan Head Coach Prasanta Banerjee said, "We are currently in second in the I-League so there is no pressure on us and nothing to worry about. We have been winning the last few matches and it pushed us towards the top of the table."

Captain and Brazilian Mohun Bagan legend Jose Ramirez Barreto said, "Attack is the best form of defence and we will have to keep attacking and keep their defenders busy, if we are to take the pressure of our defenders".

But Prasanta Banerjee added, "Although Barreto's thinking is attacking-minded I think we will have to play a more constructive game, working the ball upwards with many passes starting right from the defenders."

East Bengal Club will also miss the services of certain players due to injury. Winger Khemthang Paite is sure to miss the match, while the red-and-gold hope that Mehtab Hussain will have recovered enough from his injury to play. The club will also be missing Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey, who has in recent matches refound his form, due to a card suspension.

East Bengal Club Head Coach Trevor Morgan said ahead of the big clash, "It does not make a difference if few players are injured or suspended. It is part and parcel of the game and we have replacements in every department to have a strong team on the pitch. We need to keep up the momentum we have from recent matches and put in a strong performance". Furthermore Morgan went on to request East Bengal fans to come in large numbers and support their team.

East Bengal captain Sanju Pradhan was upbeat about the match and said it was a must win match for them and they would be going all out for a win. He was quick to add that their present form and combinations have been working well enough to be strong contenders to win the Kolkata derby.

Both sides go into the match on a high and a heated derby looks to be on the cards with both sides needing the three points to stay on the heals of league leaders Dempo SC, who will hope for a draw.

The match will be telecast live on Television. It will be shown from 18.30 IST onwards by TenAction+ and News Time Bangla.