I-League: It's Derby time in Kolkata tomorrow

It's once more derby time in Kolkata, then Mohun Bagan AC host East Bengal Club in a Round 20 match of the I-League at the Saltlake Stadium at 2pm tomorrow.

After all the controversy surrounding the walk out of Mohun Bagan at the last Kolkata derby on December 9, 2012; this derby is about avoiding trouble and any untoward incidence which would further bring the Kolkata derby and Indian football in disrepute.

Under instructions from West Bengal Minister of Sports Madan Mitra, the hosts Mohun Bagan along with their archrivals East Bengal and the federations have taken as much precautionary measures as possible like having a private security agency along with the police force to control and manage the crowds, three level of security checks at entry points and fans not allowed to bring in a number of things.

Coming to the football, it is a crucial match for both sides then it is an unusual situation as East Bengal are on top of the I-League, while Mohun Bagan are bottom and fighting relegation. But as they would say around the world, a derby is a derby and not a usual match so such standards should then not be applied.

"I am not under pressure but tomorrow's match is more important than the others. A win there will motivate the players more than any other victory in the tournament. It gives them inspiration do well in the upcoming matches," said East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan.

And Morgan added, "It is true that we were given three points and as many goals for playing 45 minutes before the last derby was abandoned. I won't mind if it is one goal and three points this time."

Meanwhile Mohun Bagan counterpart Karim Bencharifa said, "This match is very important for us as we have to win to bring the team out of the relegation zone."

"We have Tolgay in the side this time and his inclusion will definitely enhance the confidence of the side. We won the match in the last round and hope to see the team continuing to improve as they have done in the last match (3-1 against ONGC). East Bengal is a good side and we are fighting relegation but these considerations do not count here. What matters most is how the team performs on that particular day," Karim added.