Mohammedan Sporting Club aim to kick off their 2016/17 Second Division League campaign on all the right notes when they host cross city rivals Southern Samity in the Group B opener at Barasat Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday (January 21, 2017).

Mohammedan SC are heading into the game on the back of the three weeks of hard training, started from January 2, 2017. During the preparatory period the team have also played a couple of practice games.

However, the game against a formidable Southern Samity side, who are making a come back in the Second Division League after four years, won’t be an easy one and the gaffer Ranjan Chaudhuri wants his side to be cautious.

Speaking ahead of the clash, coach Chaudhuri said, “The first match is always very difficult, and it is always very important to start any tournament with a victory as it will set the tone for the entire campaign.”

For the record, Mohammedan SAporting have beaten Southern Samity in their last encounter in the Calcutta Football League in September 2016 and the team will be eager to replicate the performance.

Facing Southern Samity, the Black Panthers will be relying heavily on Leonce Dodoz and Manvir Singh to fire upfront. Mumtaz Akhtar, Dipankar Das, Dipendu Dowary and Vanlalbiaa will share the responsibilitiy of supplying balls from midfield. While skipper Rana Gharami will pair Lancine Toure in the centre of defence, Nitesh Chhikara and Pranit Lama are expected to operate as the wing-backs with Sayon Roy under the bar.

“Southern Samity is one of the toughest teams in the league. They have a well-balanced side and it always gets difficult when we are stacked up against a set of proven players. But I have full faith in my team and with the potential they possess I am hopeful for a positive result tomorrow.” coach Chaudhuri added.

The match at Barasat Stadium kicks off at 14.00 IST on Saturday.

(Mohammedan Sporting Club Press Release)