Goal.com Federation Cup Special: Will There Be A Salgaocar SC – East Bengal Dream Final?

So, as expected, will Salgaocar and East Bengal ease into the finals of the tournament, or will Lajong or Prayag spring up a surprise to cause a major upset?

Let’s discuss…

Will Salgaocar SC Cruise Past Shillong Lajong?

Yes – Why?

Personnel Strengths – The area where Salgaocar leads the other teams is on the wings where Gilbert Oliveira, Francis Fernandes and Ishfaq Ahmed have been so fantastic. The width that they have provided Karim in the group stages has given the Goans a different dimension as compared to the other teams. Ryuji Sueoka and Chidi Edeh have combined considerably well in the past few games, with a Chidi-inspired performance against Pailan Arrows taking them through to the tournament semi-finals. Just like their attack, their defence also looks very strong with Mehraj and Luciano Sobrosa commanding the box to perfection.

Game Play – Salgaocar have a fast variable game play. They showed exactly against HAL Bangalore and Pailan Arrows how good they are while keeping the ball and playing it short, advancing with a fluid movement in opponents box, whereas, against Mumbai FC, they exhibited their skill in playing the physical game. Thus, with a strong defence complementing their attacking play, Salgaocar look like the best bet to go through to the finals.

Salgaocar SC Training Before Their Federation Game In Pune

Form – Salgaocar have not conceded a single goal in the Federation Cup 2011 and more importantly, have dominated all of their three group games. More so, they have scored seven goals in their final two games of the group stages. With Lajong having a shaky defensive line, you can expect the Goans bagging some more goals.

Climatic Conditions – Unlike Goa, Shillong is a hill station and may play its toll on the Lajong players from the east. Earlier this month, Shillong Lajong coach Pradhyum Reddy had told Goal.com that he had conducted special training sessions in Guwahati for his players to get accustomed to the warm weather. Players trying accustom themselves to weather by taking part in training sessions and practicing in warmer conditions are very different as compared to the players who are born and brought up in such conditions. Thus, as Salgaocar are more suited to playing in the warm weather like what would be in Kolkata, it may aid their cause.

No – Why?

Shillong’s Improvement – Shillong Lajong have gone better with every game. After beating Mohun Bagan comprehensively 3-1, they outplayed Royal Wahingdoh – who had previously beaten Bagan and Churchill Brothers – to announce their arrival onto the semi-final stage. With a constant improvement seen in their performance, there are signs that Lajong may pull of another surprise off the table.

Emphatic Lajong Support During The Federation Cup Games

Relatively Unknown – Shillong Lajong are relatively unknown. Their knack of unleashing new players has really caught teams by surprise. John Menyongar, Chizoba and Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who only featured for a matter of minutes – coming on as substitutes – in their first outing, started their next game against Mohun Bagan and made major impacts. Lallawmzuala, who was on the bench for their first two group games, started their final encounter to produce an exception performance that will not be forgotten soon. Thus, not many know of the entire strength of this Lajong squad. Do they have another wizard waiting wings? Well, only coach Reddy will know.

Lajong’s Strength – Like Salgaocar, Shillong Lajong’s strength is to keep the ball and play fast football. To Meghalaya-side’s advantage, they have a team younger in terms of age as compared to the Soccer Kings. Their work rate and work ethic may well cancel out Salgaocar’s quality over the full quota of 90 minutes and have Lajong put the Goans under a stern test.

Will East Bengal Cruise Past Prayag United?

Yes – Why?

Personnel Strength – East Bengal has a good attacking unit and a stoic defence. Stars of last year, Tolgay Ozbey and Reisangmi Vashum give them sufficient attack going forwards, while Alan Gow and Robin Singh – who scored the winner in both the games that they have won – give them more attacking options. Their central defence looks relatively strong with Uga Okpara and the Indian International Raju Gaikawad, both of who will look to make amends.

Hussain (left), Ozbey (right)

Winners Of Group Of Death – East Bengal were paired with Dempo SC, Pune FC and Mohammedan Sporting SC in Group C labelled as the ‘Group Of Death’. Having overcome the likes of Pune FC and Dempo SC in the group stages, playing Prayag United in the semis should not be a problem.

No – Why?

Unconvincing Performances – East Bengal may have progressed through to the semi-final of the 2011 Federation Cup but have they been sufficiently convincing? No. If they need to do well, apart from Hussain who has been brilliant, their midfield needs to shine for them.

East Bengal’s Problem Is Prayag’s Strength – In the tournament this year, the defending champions, East Bengal have found it hard to find the net. They may have a good strike force on paper but if you see, they have scored only four goals in the three matches that they have played so far. Prayag United, on the other hand, have been strong defensively having only conceded one goal in their three group games. Thus, if Prayag defend well and manage to nick a goal, a surprise may well be on the cards. As they say, you cannot win until you score.

Prayag United SC After Progressing From The Group Stages

So, will there be a Salgaocar SC – East Bengal finale? It’s on the cards certainly, but with Shillong Lajong and Prayag United unlikely to bow out of the tournament without a fight, it will certainly make for two great games of football in Kolkata and you never know, an underdog’s name may well be drilled on the cup this year.