Mohun Bagan take on Real Kashmir in a mid-table clash

I-league debutantes Real Kashmir will face their toughest test so far in the top-flight when they lock horns with Mohun Bagan, a club with some pedigree, in a mid-table clash here Tuesday.

Both teams have played three games so far.

Mohun Bagan are one of three unbeaten teams in the league and are lying fifth while Real Kashmir are at seventh with four points. Both teams have rapturous support all around and it promises to be a battle of attrition in cold climes.

For the visitors, there would not be a better time to test some untested resources, given Kashmir have not looked like routing sides even at home yet. Youngsters like Azharduddin Mallick, William Lalnunfela and Shilton Dsilva, for example, have hardly got game time.

Abinash Ruidas has also been drafted in recently and coach Sankarlal Chakraborty will be tempted to use more of his young resources at this stage of the league than be caught unaware at critical junctures later. Either Dalraj Singh or Amey Ranawade can also be played at defence.

Sankarlal, however, did not appear to be planning to take any chances saying before the game, "The way Kashmir played the last game was really good. They have a good combination of both Indian and foreign players. Their defenders, midfielders are very strong. We hope we put up a good game against them and win the three points."
Robertson said, "Mohun Bagan are a strong team and we hope to create more chances against them. The problem will arise if we don't create chances. The more chances we create, the more we have the opportunity to score. If we continue to play the game the way we are playing, we hope we can win."