I-League: High Voltage Kolkata derby on the cards

Kolkata will see another big derby game tomorrow afternoon when East Bengal Club host Mohun Bagan AC in a Round 19 match of the ongoing I-League 2011/12 at the Saltlake Stadium.

The second derby in the I-League is a match which could decide the fate of the I-League, then both teams are in the running for the title. And that is something which has not been the case for years, either the red-and-gold or the green-and-maroon where in the title race and the other side was midtable or even fighting relegation.

Both clubs have played 18 matches with East Bengal in second position on 40 points, while Mohun Bagan are joint third with Churchill Brothers SC with a point less.

The Mariners did win their home tie 1-0 between the two sides earlier this season, but tomorrow's match will be a home game for East Bengal, who hope to keep the pressure on Dempo SC who currently lead with 40 points.

Ahead of the game East Bengal coach 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 three points at stake. Bagan is playing well and Odafe Okolie 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."

Meanwhile Mohun Bagan Technical Director Subrata Bhattacharya said, "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, Subrata said, "If he will be fully fit then only he would be playing otherwise many players have the capability to replace him for the match."

As always a Kolkata derby is a game which cannot be planed or one can go per current form. Anything is possible with both sides eyeing a win to stay or move into second position.


The match will show live from 14.00 IST onwards on both TenAction+ and NewsTime Bangla.