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Indian Federation Cup champions Mohun Bagan AC host Sri Lankan champions Colombo FC in the return-leg of their 2017 AFC Cup – South Asian Zone preliminary round qualifier at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata tomorrow night.
The Mariners go into the match with a 2-1 lead from their away match in Sri Lanka last week to make the final round of the revamped AFC Cup.
Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen at the pre-match press conference said, “I believe tomorrow will be a fresh game and it’ll start from zero. We have to start afresh and play a flawless football to stay afloat in the AFC Cup 2017.”
On being asked whether he has a fully-fit squad at his disposal to select his pawns tomorrow, Sanjoy Sen commented, “Apart from Kean Lewis, Eduardo and Kingshuk, everyone is fit and rearing to give it a shot tomorrow.”
Meanwhile the Sri Lanka champions have arrived without their three foreigners, defender Nasiru Opeyemi, midfielder Seka Jean Yapo and striker Afeez Olofin because of visa issues, but the club hopes that Ivory Coast midfielder Yapo could get a last minute visa and arrive in Kolkata on match day.
“It’s a big loss for me. They are integral members of the side manning the defence, midfield as well as the forward line. We have to make our planning afresh,” Colombo FC coach Mohamed Roomy Hassan said at the pre-match press conference.
He further added, “We need goals to survive in this tournament. We have to press for goals in earlier stages, say by first 25 minutes. Attack is the only option. We have come prepared. Of course we are confident. We are positive to pull off a win.”
Mohun Bagan have been in good form since the I-League started early last month and they would hope to continue in this fine form to stay in the 2017 AFC Cup.
