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I-League Preview: East Bengal – Shillong Lajong
The Red and Gold’s will look to continue their resurgence...
11-Nov-2009 3:38:18 PM
Kick-off: 16.30 IST, November 12
Barasat Stadium, Kolkata
Barasat Stadium, Kolkata
Home’s No Home...
Home is usually the place where one is comfortable and relaxed. Going by this definition, the Red and Gold’s surely can’t call Kolkata their home as their performance in the three games they have played in the city haven’t given them the result they would have liked.
Following Subhash Bhowmick’s departure from the club, surprisingly the team has done well having snapped seven from the possible nine points in three outings. Their assistant coach, Tushar Rakshit added that their performance has been shoddy but they have done well to get the results for themselves.
Philippe De Ridder would be at the helm of affairs for the first time and it would be interesting to see his tactics and formation. The Belgian had some success the last time he was the coach of East Bengal but the situation is completely different at the present moment.
Can We Do It Again?
Shillong Lajong turned everyone’s attention towards them when they beat East Bengal in the Durand Cup. It was a result not even the most ardent Lajong supporter would have aimed for! Since then, the north eastern club has had a mixed season like most I-League clubs, having won a few, drawn a few and lost a few.
Stanley Rosario is well acquainted with most East Bengal players and even is well versed with the conditions at Barasat having been the coach of East Bengal for a sizable period last year.
In the seven games played, Lajong have only managed to score on eight occasions, with only six coming from open play.
Form Guide
East Bengal
Air India 0-1 East Bengal
Viva Kerala 0-1 East Bengal
East Bengal 0-0 Salgaocar SC
Shillong Lajong
Pune FC 1-1 Shillong Lajong
Shillong Lajong 0-0 Salgaocar SC
Shillong Lajong 1-2 Mohun Bagan
Team News
East Bengal
The good news for the Kolkata side is that Bhaichung Bhuia returns on the bench and may feature in the game at a later stage. Saumik Dey, Renedy Singh and Sanju Pradhan continue to be out of contention while Mehtab Hussain is back after serving a one game suspension.
Shillong Lajong
Skipper Aibor Khonjee shall miss the game against his former club due to suspension.
Players To Watch
East Bengal
Performance wise, the team has been poor and they’ll have to look for individual brilliance. Abel Hammond looked incisive for the first half hour but thereafter couldn’t make any difference to the game. It’s time the Ghanaian reproduces the form he showed for Mumbai FC last season.
Shillong Lajong
Tuboi is an exciting young talent and his performance on the big stage against East Bengal shall get more eyeballs towards him. He terrorized Mohun Bagan defenders a few games ago. Can he do the same to the Red and Gold’s backline?
Key Areas...
Both the teams have been miserly in scoring and Lajong’s defence is weakened with the absence of Aibor. On paper, East Bengal have better quality but the I-League has been full of surprises, and going by their present form, one would be a fool to discount Lajong completely.
Rahul Bali.
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