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I-League: Mohd Sporting Plagued By Injuries, Theo Out
Speaking to Goal.com, Mohammedan Sporting coach Shabbir Ali lamented the lack of fit players at his disposal, but maintained that spirits are high within the club...
16-Jan-2009 8:28:51 PM
Mohammedan Sporting were troubled by injuries for the first half of the I-League, after which they lie in 11th position in the table, but the injury gods are not being any kinder to Shabbir Ali and his wards even in the new year.
Speaking to Goal.com, Ali mentioned that star striker Theodore Sunday is still unfit due to a knee injury, and a familiar name is being sounded as his replacement. The head coach stated, "Unfortunately, injuries continue to hamper our preparations, and Theo is still unfit. We plan to sign Eugene Gray as his replacement in the next few days." Gray, who hails from Liberia, might be familiar to a number of football fans in the country, as he's played for East Bengal and Salgaocar in the past.
Also adding to Mohammedan's injury problems are defenders Anit Ghosh and Sheikh Azim, who are both likely
to be out for around a week, and midfielder Gautam Thakur will also miss Tuesday's match against Mumbai FC due to a slight niggle. Thakur, however, is expected to be back in training within 3-4 days.
The Kolkata club currently lie in 11th spot in the I-League table, only ahead of Vasco, and Ali is well aware of the task that lies in front of the club. When asked about his goals for the second phase of the league, he replied, "The first and foremost aim is to avoid relegation. We have been hit by injuries and bad luck in the first phase, but that happens in football. It's the results that count, and we must get them now. It's a tight battle in the second half of the table, so anything's possible, and the spirit is still strong among the players."
On a slightly more positive note, a cautious but positive-sounding Ali spoke about new signing Suraj Mondal, who will play on Tuesday. "Suraj is an experienced campaigner, and we are delighted to have him in our side. He is a goal-getter by nature, and is confident on the ball. Hopefully he'll score many goals for us", remarked the coach.
For those unaware, the second phase of the I-League kicks off next week, with the two remaining fixtures from Round 11 to be played on the 19th and 20th of January between Mahindra United-Dempo, and Mumbai FC-Mohd Sporting.
Atishay Agarwal
Speaking to Goal.com, Ali mentioned that star striker Theodore Sunday is still unfit due to a knee injury, and a familiar name is being sounded as his replacement. The head coach stated, "Unfortunately, injuries continue to hamper our preparations, and Theo is still unfit. We plan to sign Eugene Gray as his replacement in the next few days." Gray, who hails from Liberia, might be familiar to a number of football fans in the country, as he's played for East Bengal and Salgaocar in the past.
Also adding to Mohammedan's injury problems are defenders Anit Ghosh and Sheikh Azim, who are both likely
to be out for around a week, and midfielder Gautam Thakur will also miss Tuesday's match against Mumbai FC due to a slight niggle. Thakur, however, is expected to be back in training within 3-4 days.
The Kolkata club currently lie in 11th spot in the I-League table, only ahead of Vasco, and Ali is well aware of the task that lies in front of the club. When asked about his goals for the second phase of the league, he replied, "The first and foremost aim is to avoid relegation. We have been hit by injuries and bad luck in the first phase, but that happens in football. It's the results that count, and we must get them now. It's a tight battle in the second half of the table, so anything's possible, and the spirit is still strong among the players."
On a slightly more positive note, a cautious but positive-sounding Ali spoke about new signing Suraj Mondal, who will play on Tuesday. "Suraj is an experienced campaigner, and we are delighted to have him in our side. He is a goal-getter by nature, and is confident on the ball. Hopefully he'll score many goals for us", remarked the coach.
For those unaware, the second phase of the I-League kicks off next week, with the two remaining fixtures from Round 11 to be played on the 19th and 20th of January between Mahindra United-Dempo, and Mumbai FC-Mohd Sporting.
Atishay Agarwal
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