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Mohammedan Sporting Club coach Raghunath Nandy has downplayed suggestions that his side will be out to seek revenge against Border Security Forde of Jalandhar when the two sides meet in the first semifinal of 2018 Bordoloi Trophy on Tuesday, November 6 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Guwahati with kick-off at 3pm.
Mohammedan Sporting fell short 3-4 on penalties against BSF in the Independence Day Cup final in Nagaon last month, yet Nandy insists his team have gotten over that disappointment and does not want to look at what happened in past.
“There is no sense of revenge. They won in Nagaon and we can do nothing about that. If we win tomorrow against BSF, we will not win Independence Day Cup final. We have got no complaints with the result, they deserved it. That chapter is closed. This is a new game. Teams like Mohammedan SC is not motivated by grudges but are inspired by a desire to improve and do better,” Nandy said on the eve of the clash.
The two sides have experienced different paths to the semifinals. While it wasn’t without challenges for Mohammedan Sporting, they became the only team to progress with the full nine available points which also makes them overwhelming favourites for the encounter.
BSF, on the other hand, had a bumpy ride to the semifinals. After a 2-0 win against Oil India Limited on the opening day, a 1-1 draw against Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) followed by 2-1 victory over Malki SC saw them out of the group stage ahead of ASEB.
Nandy, however, pointed out playoff matches are always unpredictable. “It will be a matter of who will the coolest nerves and getting into rhythm first, who will triumph.”
Going into the semifinal, what will be key for Mohammedan Sporting is continuing that momentum and continuing to apply what they have learned thus far.
Mohammedan Sporting has a full complement to choose from, a number key players including Philip Adjah, Kamran Farooque and Prosenjit Chakraborty were rested against TRAU FC in their last group game, will be restored to the starting line-up.
