India captain Sunil Chhetri will be putting his money on East Bengal Club when the Red & Gold meet Indonesian champions Semen Padang over two legs in the Quarterfinals of the AFC Cup in September.

“It’s a relatively easy draw for East Bengal. Indians Clubs are usually pitted against West Asian Teams who are very tough to beat. With all due respect to Semen Padang, I feel East Bengal have enough firepower to win against them,” Chhetri said on the sidelines of his eight-day Summer Coaching Camp for kids at the Ambedkar Stadium.

The twice AIFF Player of the Year knows a thing or two about Semen Padang, having played the latter in the Group stages of the Competition. Churchill Brothers, where Chhetri spent the second half of last season on loan, scored the opening goal of their match against Pedang in a Group E encounter which ended 2-2.

“We played against them in the Group stages of the Tournament. They are a good side with quality players like Edward Junior Wilson. But I feel the manner East Bengal have been playing in the AFC Cup, Padang may find their going difficult. But one cannot be complacent, especially in the Quarterfinals,” the 28-year old stated.

Padang, coached by Jafri Sastrak, missed their Foreign Recruits in that match against the I-League Champions on March 12. But in all likelihood, they will be at full strength when they look to overturn East Bengal who previous best in the AFC Cup was back in 2004 where they reached the last eight stages under Subhash Bhowmick.

Asked whether the availability of Foreign Recruits including the highly-rated striker Junior Wilson will make a difference, Chhetri said: “I don’t think so. East Bengal have a lot of quality in their ranks. Under (Trevor James) Morgan they have looked a well oiled machine. The team chemistry has been superb, thus this success. It’s amazing that an Indian club has reached this far in the AFC Cup after a long time.”

“I wish East Bengal all the best. I feel very happy to see that an Indian Club is doing so well in the international arena. I hope they go all the way, but at this juncture it is advisable to take one match at a time, which I’m sure they will,” Chhetri, who donned East Bengal colours back in 2008-09, commented.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)