Chhetri’s injury a huge dampener for Bengaluru FC in Federation Cup final
Cuttack: Defending champions Mohun Bagan will be determined to put behind the disappointments of missing out on the I-League title (Aizwal FC pipped them to the post by one point) when they take on Bengaluru FC in the final of the Federation Cup football tournament here Sunday at the Barabati Stadium. They start as favourites as they have been in very good nick with their talismanic midfielder Sony Norde proving to be a thorn for every opposition.
The two sides recently clashed in a group league encounter of the AFC Cup in Kolkata which Mohun Bagan won 3-1. However, much shouldn’t be taken into account of that game. While Mohun Bagan rested nine of their regulars, the ‘Blues’ of Bangalore fielded a new-look 11, wanting to rest all the key players for the summit clash. Bengaluru will definitely take heart from the fact that when they met Mohun Bagan in the group stages of the same tournament, the result was a 1-1 draw.
A final is always a battle of nerves between players of both sides and the clash Sunday will not be any different. Bengaluru FC, who are the challengers have nothing to lose and they know that only the Fed Cup title will keep them in contention for a spot in the AFC Cup next season. So they will definitely go all out for victory when they take the pitch, Sunday.
However, they will be without their inspirational skipper Sunil Chhetri, who has been ruled out of the game with a hamstring injury. However, in players like Udanta Singh, Alwyn George, Lalthuammawia Ralte and Harmonjit Khabra, they have the players who can upset the Mohun Bagan applecart.
Mohun Bagan midfielders Sony Norde, Katsumi Yusa and Balwant Singh along with striker Darryl Duffy have been in scintillating form and they pose the greatest threat to the opposition. Bengaluru coach Alberto Roca, who was an assistant to Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona FC was the first to admit that when he talked to the press here Saturday.
“They are a very strong team with a good balance in attack and defence. We have to be on our toes all the time throughout the match,” Roca stated. “They are definitely the favourites to win, but then we have also made it to the final and would like to leave as winners. So I think the boys will give it their best shot,” he added.
Mohun Bagan’s head coach Sanjoy Sen also exuded confidence about the game. “We are well prepared. Definitely both sides will have different strategies chalked out. They are a very tough side, but if we can play to our potential, I am sure we will retain the title,” Sen told reporters. “We don’t have any injury issues also and that is a great boon for us,” he added.
Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra, OP
