Mohun Bagan coach says East Bengal favourites in derby

Playing mind games ahead of their clash against arch-rivals East Bengal, Mohun Bagan coach Shankarlal Chakraborty on Friday put his counterpart Khalid Jamil on a higher pedestal in terms of coaching pedigree, adding the 'home team' will start as favourites.

"Khalid is more experienced than me. He has coached Mumbai FC (now defunct) for so many years and then helped Aizawl FC win the I-League. Overall also, East Bengal are favourites," Chakraborty told reporters, two days ahead of the pivotal clash at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan.

Mohun Bagan are struggling in sixth place after nine matches and are six points behind East Bengal (19) who are placed second behind surprise league leaders Minerva Punjab FC.

To add to their woes, the likes of Haitian star forward Sony Norde and Japanese playmaker Yuta Kinowaki are all but ruled out of the clash due to injuries.

Chakraborty though did not rule out Norde's involvement in the game. "He is in touch with the doctor. He has chance to play. We are planning in our way if he in the side and also if he cannot make it. We have replacements," the coach said.

Mohun Bagan lost their last game to high-flying Minerva 1-2. The Green and Maroons have won only once in their last six encounters.

The Red and Golds, on the other hand, suffered a slender 0-1 defeat the last time these two sides met this 2017-18 season.

Post that, East Bengal have remained unbeaten, notching five wins and three draws, to be ranked second on the table with nineteen points in their kitty.

"Last match we lost (against Mohun Bagan), we didn't play good. This time we have to prepare well and not take them lightly. Like any other match, we have to play well and take positive points. They have good and experienced players," said East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil said.

He added, "Every match is a do or die. Even in Aizawl, the pressure was the same. I never give any predictions in football. Mentally we have confidence. They will also have confidence."

Eze Kingsley Obumneme, who scored the only goal in the last match said, "Scoring was a good thing. That is gone. Looking forward. Getting ready for the derby. I believe in my coach. It is not about individual players. We encourage each other to try to score more goals in training."

Shilton Paul looks likely to miss the match owing to a stomach bug. Kinowaki has not practised but Norse did some training separate from the team.

Eduardo Ferreira and Katsumi Yusa face their former side with both in inspirational form for East Bengal of late.

However, the focus will be on the derby debutants of Mohun Bagan -- Cameron Watson and Akram Moghrabi -- both tried and tested players in the I-League in the past.

--IANS

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