 Beaten but not out is what officials from both camps are claiming. But the real question playing on everyone’s mind… will Mohun Bagan finally get their title challenge on track or will Viva Kerala add to Bagan’s woes.
As the surprise element is slowly starting to fade, Viva Kerala is being considered a youthful and energetic team that needs to be played with caution and Mohun Bagan are probably getting into a slump similar to last season. Mohun Bagan had a disastrous start last season before they recovered to end up runners-up to Churchill only on goal difference.
The last time the two teams played in the I-League was way back in 2007-08 and both teams took a bite of the cake by winning one match each. Bagan won 2-0 while Viva won the other leg 3-1.
Form Guide
Last five completed matches during the current season (2009-10) - most recent first
Viva Kerala – LWW
Confidence is high in the Viva camp after the improved outing against the defending I-League champions Churchill Brothers. Though Churchill won the game, they lost two key players for the next round.
Mohun Bagan – LLLWW
Everything has gone wrong for Mohun Bagan so far this season, both on and off the field. They have lost both their games so far and that too at home but they will get another chance to grab their first points of the season before the big local derby against East Bengal in round four.
Team News
Viva Kerala
There is good news and bad news for the Viva Kerala fans. The good news is that they are playing Bagan probably on equal footing given Bagan current form and loss of key players. Another relief for Sreedharan the Viva coach is that Indian under 19 striker Shibin Lal has recovered from the flu and will partner Rueben Senyo upfront.
The bad news is that two key players, captain MP Sakeer and goalkeeper Shahinlal Meloly had to be sent home due to fever. Reinforcements have come in the form of ex-TFA cadet Bimal Barua and former SBI goalie K Sharath.
Former airman EC Sharath is likely to start at goal with Sakeer being replaced by Shibinlal as Viva may change to a traditional 4-4-2 formation.
In the absence of Sakeer, Patrick Sisupalan is likely to control the proceedings from the middle of the park. Having played on artificial turf pitches for ages, he will be looking to make a mark in the game with some tough leg-cracking tackles.
Probable XI (4-5-1): EC Sarath – K Noushad, Bello Rasaq, Charles Dzisah, Sumit Thapa – Patrick Sisupalan, Bimal Birua - Siraj, P Rahul, VV Surjith - Reuben Senyo.
Mohun Bagan
Mohun Bagan comes into the match with a few key players missing and tonnes of problems in defense and upfront. The talismanic striker Jose Barreto, Sheikh Azeem and defenders NS Manju, Habibur Mondal and N Mohanraj are injured. Additionally, two players will be missed through suspension, viz., defender Deepak Mondal due to a red card in the last game and striker Branco Cardozo after picking up his second consecutive yellow card.
The Bagan coach has played with different formations in the previous match with limited success and likely to play their best possible XI and not bother too much about formation.
Bagan are struggling at the back due to injuries and they are looking to put an end to their defensive lapses. Bagan are likely to play youngster Shilton Paul at goal instead of the experienced Sangram Mukherjee behind a three man defense led by veteran defender Surkumar Singh.
With Barreto and Branco out, Karim Bencherifa is likely to play the experienced Kalia Kulothungan ahead of Suraj Mondal in a 4-3-3 formation.
Probable XI (3-4-3): Shilton Paul – Surkumar Singh, Rakesh Masih, Sangram Mandi – Mickey Fernandes, James Singh Sr, Genius Zenith, Marcos Pereira – Ishfaq Ahmed, Edeh Chidi, Kalia Kulothungan.
Players to Watch
Rueben Senyo (Viva Kerala) - The Ghanian striker had an average game against Churchill in the previous game and will be desperate to prove his critics wrong. He will be looking to do an ‘Odafa’ for Viva in this match.
Marcos Pereira (Mohun Bagan) – In the absence of Barreto, he will have the added responsibility on his shoulders. He is a dangerous customer from freekicks and will be looking to provide Edeh Chidi the assistance from midfield.
Key Matchups
Bello Rasaq vs. Edeh Chidi
Raman Patrick Sisupalan vs. Marcos Pereira
Rueben Senyo vs. Rakesh Masih
Jason Morais writes for footballkerala.com
|
