Rusty Bagan wary of a youthful MSC
2
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan SG will begin their Durand Cup campaign with an all-Indian side and against a "not so easy" Mohammedan SC here on Thursday.
Not long ago Bagan's participation in Asia's oldest knockout football tournament was in doubt against the backdrop of a yet-to-be-resolved uncertainty over the
Indian Super League
.
As a result, the reigning ISL Shield and Cup winners' senior team hit the ground running only a week ago, without Spanish head coach Jose Molina and any of his foreigners.
It has been learnt that Molina is scheduled to land here in the wee hours of Friday and defender Tom Aldred is expected to arrive the following day.
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Mohammedan SC, facing a transfer ban, are also playing the tournament without any foreigner. They conceded a last-gasp goal to go down 1-2 to debutants Diamond Harbour FC in their opening match two days ago.
The Bagan assistant coach Bastab Roy — who would boss the team's dugout in Molina's absence at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday — was in the stands to get a first-hand glimpse of the young black-and-white brigade's fight and he knew that a tricky test awaits his team.
"A key feature of Mohammedan SC is that they are a young team and they don't depend on any individuals and play as a team," Bastab noted during a press conference on Wednesday.
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"They have already played a game while we are going to play our first one. From that standpoint, we need to work harder to win the match. It's not going to be easy."
Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith — who would lead the team on Thursday — echoed his coach's sentiment.
"They (Mohammedan SC) have already played, so their fitness level will be better. No, we can't take the match as an easy one," the ISL's Golden Glove-winner said.
If early season rustiness is a worry, key defender Subhashis Bose is still undergoing his rehabilitation and attacker Manvir Singh is a doubtful starter for the opener.
Five days ago, defender Dipendu Biswas and attackers Kiyan Nassiri and Suhail Bhat were pressed into service for the CFL derby but Bagan ended up losing it 2-3 to East Bengal FC. Bastab now wants his youngsters to stand up and be counted for a positive start to the new tournament.
"The Durand Cup format is such that only the group winner and two second-best teams will advance to the quarterfinals. So, one loss may jeopardize your chances," Bastab said.
For Mohammedan SC coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo, it's about building a better future for the team.
"I'm happy with the way the young players are giving their best. Results may not be in our control. The way we conceded the goal (against DHFC) in the last minute was extremely unfortunate and luck was also not on our side.
But we've to accept this and move on," Mehrajuddin told reporters.
"Against Mohun Bagan, we'll try to minimize the mistakes we had committed (against DHFC) and give them a fight," he added.
DURAND CUP: WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS
Group A: Namdhari XI 2 (Bhupinder 79, Cledson 85) South United FC 0.
Group E: TRAU FC 1 (Raj Singh 58) Neroca FC 1 (Arunkumar Singh 90+6).
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