i-league

Mohun Bagan take on Pailan Arrows

KALYANI, March 23: : Pailan Arrows, who have emerged as the real giant killer of the tournament, will seek to reinvent their form taking on Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan in the 21st round of the I-League, at the Kalyani Stadium, on Sunday (March 24). The Arrows’ Australian coach, Arthur Papas, said his boys would play true to their reputation and give a good fight to their famed opponent.

“Mohun Bagan is a big-budget side and has a selection of good players. They are currently in the relegation zone not because of their on-field form but for a different reason. So we will have to play really well to get a good result,” Papas said. The Arrows coach looked at a mixed bag fortune - of two loses, two draws and a win - in the last five rounds and opted for the cautious approach.

Arrows looked at the growing list injuries to key players like Pranoy Halder, Holicharan Narzary and Tirthankar Sarkar, who remained doubtful for the match. “I will have a look at them in the morning of the match before deciding on the playing eleven,” said Papas. Defender Dipak Devrani is making a comeback after a prolonged injury absence and this would give Papas an extra option in building the team. Arrows are currently 10th in the league standings with 19 points from as many matches.

When it was pointed out that Mohun Bagan are unlikely to have the services of their famed striker Onyeka Okolie Odafa, who recovering from a bout of fever, Papas said he prefers to focus on the opponent as a team and not the individuals. “If not Odafa, they have Tolgay (Ozbey). We prefer to concentrate on the team as a unit and not on individual players,” Papas said.

Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa was bothered by the likely absence of two of their regular defenders. While Nirmal Chetri is suspended with four bookings, Ibor Khongjee has fever and is a doubtful starter. “It is a long league and there is always a possibility of missing some players. It is a team game and we will put our best for a win,” the Moroccan coach said.

“We are under the pressure to perform being at the bottom of the standings. But I am confident the team will be able to save relegation,” Bencherifa said.

The kick-off is at 2 pm.

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