They may be record 32 times winners in the national football championship for the Santosh Trophy, but Bengal will not start overwhelming favourites with their "worst preparation ever".
Bengal today announced a 20-member team and head coach Ranjan Chowdhury painted a grim picture, saying the team has never been so short of preparation in its 72nd year history of the tournament.
"I don't recall a time when Bengal was so short of preparation. I think I'm facing this situation for the first time ever. We are almost without preparation," Chowdhury told PTI.
His biggest concern was that he did not get to train with five of his key players including forward Jiten Murmu, who is also the captain.
"They were busy with their club commitments at Mohammedan Sporting and will be joining tomorrow -- on the eve of our opener (against Manipur)," he said.
"We had virtually no training before the tournament. It's been a tough preparation."
"I'm not demoralised. Not at all. We always have to think always positive. Everybody knows Bengal are strong favourites so pressure will be on us. We are up for the challenge."
"The first two matches -- against Manipur and Maharashtra (on March 21) will be crucial. We hope to start off well as we have four days off after that, so there will be enough time."
Bengal squad:
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