Mohammedan Sporting Club are looking to start their campaign in the 2015/16 Second Division League on a positive note when they host Guwahati FC in the Eastern Conference opener at the Vidyasagar Krirangan in Barasat, Kolkata on Saturday (November 14).
Popularly known as The Black Panthers, Mohammedan Sporting are going into the tie on the back of two weeks of hard training, which started on October 30. Mohammedan have also played a couple of practice games against two railway teams namely Bengal Nagpur Railway (BNR) and Chittaranjan Locomotive, where they looked strong.
However, the hosts will need to be on their toes against Subhash Bhowmick’s Guwahati FC. The Assam State Premier League outfit can prove to be a very tricky opponent as most of their players are from Kolkata. Somide Adelaja, Ugochukwu Godswill and Emmanuel Ini are the three foreigners in the Guwahati FC roster. Former NorthEast United forward Durga Boro will be another key man for Guwahati FC. Besides Technical Director Subhash Bhowmick, Guwahati FC have Spaniard Anxo Varcarcel as their Head Coach.
“We are expecting a tough clash against Guwahati FC. We know the importance of a good start. It sets the tone for the entire competition. Guwahati FC are going to be a very tough opponent for us. They may be a Assamese team but most of their players ply their trade in Kolkata. But with the potential of my team I back them to pull this one off,” said Mohammedan Sporting Head Coach Subrata Bhattacharya Jr.
Interestingly, all of Mohammedan’s opponents in the Eastern Conference have never played the Second Division League before.
“It’s a fact that we are making our debut in Second Division League but we won’t allow that come into play. Mohammedan are strong side but I think we have enough strength in our side to challenge any team,” said Guwahati FC coach Anxo Varcarcel.
On the team news front, Mohammedan have been boosted by the availability of a full strength squad, with all players fit and raring to go. “We have been training very hard for the last couple of weeks. All the players are fit and giving their best on the field. Luckily we don’t have any casualties in our side. Therefore we are confident of our chances, and hoping for a good game of football,” added coach Subrata Bhattacharya Jr.
The Second Division League Eastern Conference clash kicks off at 14.00 IST on Saturday.
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