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The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), or the Salt Lake Stadium, as it is more fondly called, is all set to host the first game of the 12th I-League edition as local giants Mohun Bagan take on Mizoram’s former I-League champions Aizawl FC on Saturday, November 3.
The 10th game of the season is scheduled for a 5pm kick-off. The hosts hold a 3-1 overall win-loss record against Aizawl FC going into the game with one game ending in a draw. In the I-League too, Mohun Bagan are ahead 2-1 with the sole draw between the two sides also coming in the last edition of the I-League.
The Kolkata-side will also feel bolstered by the return of Haitian winger Sony Norde and Japanese midfielder Yuta Kinowaki into the squad. They will have to be more compact in defence though, with S. Rajesh exposing quite a few chinks in their defensive armour in their opening encounter against Gokulam Kerala FC.
Coach Shankarlal Chakraborty however, exercised the customary caution in the pre-game press meet, saying, “Aizawl have a strong attacking line-up. Moreover, when teams play against Mohun Bagan they have an urge to do something more. They have variation in attack. Also, Gift is an award-winning coach. So it will be a tough game.”
The strong attacking line-up and variation that Shankarlal was referring to the three-man forward line which the visitors boast consisting of Ivorian Zikahi Dodoz, Liberian Ansumanah Kromah and F. Lalremsanga, who had a very good game in Aizawl FC’s opening encounter against Shillong Lajong FC. The three are backed up very well by wingers Paul and Isak with Liberian midfield rock Alfred Jaryan holding the fort in the centre.
Aizawl FC coach Gift Raikhan sounded confident sharing his thoughts in the presser when he said, “Mohun Bagan is a good team and we respect them. We have experienced players who have played I-League for four to five years. They are confident for tomorrow. We have faced Mohun Bagan before, so its nothing new for us but yes, it is challenging to win the game tomorrow and we are prepared for it.”
The match will kick-off at 5pm and it’ll be telecast live on Star Sports 3 and streamed live on Hotstar and Jio TV.
