KOLKATA: Prayag United SC will look to reorganise a scruffy household when they take on the resurgent Mumbai FC at home – Salt Lake Stadium – in the ninth round of I-league on Sunday (December 2). The Dutchman, Eelco Schattorie, credited with the responsibility of guiding the emerging power from Kolkata trained his faculties to the rebuilding job ahead of the “crucial” match.

The visitor, which is riding on a string of success in the last few rounds, sought to extend their accomplishment making it an interesting contest on the cards.

“My strikers are not getting goals and that may be the reason for a dip in the team’s performance. We hope to get over the problem against Mumbai FC,” said Schattorie looking back at the fine start the team had to the season. Prayag United reached the second spot with a win against Pailan Arrows at the end of six rounds but slipped down thereafter drawing 1-1 with Salgaocar SC before losing the eighth round match against Churchill Brothers (1-2). Prayag United are now in the fourth position with 14 points.

Costa Rican World Cupper Carlos Hernandes, whose combination upfront with Nigerian Ranty Martins has been the reason behind Prayag United’s recent success, will be making a comeback to strengthen the side. The player got involved in a show of disagreement with the new coach and had to sit out of the last match (against Churchill Brothers) as the team management took a stern note of Carlos’ behaviour.

While hinting at the return of Hernandes, who has apologised for his behaviour, Schattorie said the national team goalkeeper Subrata Paul will miss the match for an error-prone performance in the previous round. Ishan Debnath is likely to be inducted in his place. “I cannot say he (Paul) was casual against Churchill but he definitely lacked concentration and made some errors,” Schattorie said about the team’s first choice goalkeeper.

The team will also miss injured S. Malswamtluanga while the seasoned defender Dipak Mondal is yet to join the side after his mother’s demise.

Chinta Chandrasekhar Rao and James Singh are likely to take their positions in the match.

“They (Mumbai FC) are a good side and have done well in the previous rounds. They have a good player like Yakubu (Yusif) and that makes our task difficult on Sunday,” Schattorie said.
Yakubu, the seasoned Ghanaian who has is one of the few foreign players to have successfully endured the Indian conditions, is one of the guiding forces in the propitious run of the Mumbai team. “They (Prayag United) are playing at home and have good players like Ranty and Carlos in their attack. Our task will be tough but we hope to take at least a point from the match,” Yakubu said after the team’s practice.

Mumbai FC, which made a bad start to the season, are unbeaten in the last four rounds where they picked up three wins and a draw. The team has risen to the eighth position riding on the lately found success and would be looking to maintain the rhythm. “We have a few wins in the last few runs and we would like to maintain the momentum,” said Yakubu speaking for his side Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil sought to give himself a break.