Super Cup: Salgaocar SC Vs. East Bengal – Who Shall Seize The Opportunity To Gain An Upper Hand Ahead Of The I-League?

The beginning is the most important part of the work, isn’t it? No wonder writers sweat until they get their opening paragraph perfect which just about sets the mood. Or even in the Indian culture where people begin any activity in the name of their beloved Lord – be it Ganesha, Allah and so on.

When Salgaocar SC and East Bengal take to field on Tuesday evening, as much as the two coaches would play down the importance of the clash and bill it as a “curtain raiser”, which it is in every sense, they would want to go one up over their rivals.

It wouldn’t need intelligence to state that these two sides have been the best in the country for the last 12 months or so and given their exploits in the Federation Cup, the trend has continued so far.

And a win in Delhi shall boost their confidence going into the most prestigious competition of the country – the I-League.

However the two teams haven’t been in top form lately with Salgaocar SC being chucked out of the Durand Cup by Prayag United while East Bengal lost two of their tree matches in Vietnam in BTV Cup, a tournament where not many would have expected them to win.

The choice of going abroad and playing these games comes as a rather strange decision by the club. Ahead of the season, anyone would want to enter in top confidence and with a winning mentality.

You would always see top sides playing against ‘not so strong’ sides ahead of a major competition like a World Cup in order to ensure that the team gets a taste of winning.

East Bengal would be the hungrier of the two sides at Ambedkar Stadium and would want to restore the belief among their passionate supporters that they are very much a top contender to win this season’s I-League, a competition which has eluded Kolkata clubs for long.

Injuries have hit the Red and Gold however with more than five players not yet in top shape.

Meanwhile fresh from being courted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the post of national coach of India, all eyes will be on Bencherifa as his Salgaocar side does look even stronger than last season though the absence of Yusif Yakubu would always hurt.

Key Players:

Luciano Sobrosa: The Salgaocar skipper is arguably their best player. As much as the Goan club and Bencherifa are being praised for their attacking brand of football, it is this Brazilian who shields them from conceding goals. He has been in top form for the last couple of seasons which has been the secret behind their improved defence.

Alan Gow: Having been booked thrice in the Federation Cup for diving wouldn’t be a promising start for the Scottish midfielder. However the player does have skill to get past players and his physique will play an important role in muscling out defenders in the final third. A good display on Tuesday shall boost his confidence for the I-League and provide Morgan some reassurance that the choice to buy the player wasn’t futile.

Key Areas:

The battle will be fought in the minds of the two managers – Bencherifa and Morgan. The last time the two sides met, it was the Moroccan who had the last laugh in the Federation Cup as his substitutions worked to the dismay of his counterpart.

East Bengal need to be wary of Salgaocar’s threat from the wings as they seek to exploit the weakness of the full-backs in the ranks of the Kolkata side.