The Red and Gold need a win while Sporting also have the chance to put one foot in the semi-finals of the Federation Cup...
East Bengal FC and Sporting Clube de Goa enter their final group A fixture of the 36th Federation Cup that will take place at the Fatorda stadium in Margao, Goa, on Tuesday.
Armando Colaco's side have been struggling to get their act together in the competition but have managed four points so far with a goalless draw against Mumbai FC in their last match. Earlier, they eked out a 1-0 win over Royal Wahingdoh FC and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Dempo SC.
A win for the Kolkata outfit would mean a ticket to the knockout stage as Royal Wahingdoh (3 points) will remain out of reach even if they win their last match against Dempo SC who have already qualified from the group.
“We have not been playing good football and I hope the boys come out with the right kind of response when we need it most. Ranti Martins is going through a bad phase and his combination with Dudu (Omagbemi) is yet to get us the desired result here. But I have faith in my players. What is more important is that our fate is still in our hands,” elucidated an under-pressure Colaco.
It has also been revealed that East Bengal's last training session has pleased the gaffer to a large extent.
Harmanjot Singh Khabra is expected to be deployed at the left back position while Mohammad Rafique, the Atletico de Kolkata midfielder who's last minute strike won the competition for his side, is expected to be handed a start.
However, the coach was dealt a blow with the news that Lalrindika Ralte might not make the matchday squad due to a muscle injury.
Mehtab Hossain and Cavin Lobo will play an important role in attack and midfield respectively as Colaco's men seek complete domination.
Sporting Clube de Goa meanwhile, kept their hopes alive to progress from the group after they beat Royal Wahingdoh 2-1 in their last match.
Jackichand Singh (28') had given the Royals the lead in the first half while Sporting Goa eventually completed a dramatic comeback with the help of two second half goals scored by Anthony Wolfe (53') and Biswajit Saha (89') at the death.
Sporting's biggest setback was when they were thrashed 4-1 by Dempo SC besides the solitary goal defeat to Mumbai FC.
However, a win for the Goans who have amassed three points will guarantee them a spot in the next round at the expense of East Bengal and Royal Wahingdoh.
Coach Alex Alvares will leave no stone unturned in hitting the Kolkata team hard with all the firepower he's got, starting the trio of Kalu Ogba, Anthony Wolfe and Victorino Fernandes in an effort to ensure the East Bengal defenders are troubled early.
Biswajit Saha, the left back who popped up with the winner in the last game against Royal Wahingdoh is expected to start with Sandip Nandy maintaining his position in goal.
“We are not giving up hope. This group is still open and any team can make it to the semifinals," observed Clifford Chukwuma who has been appointed as the mentor of the club.
With qualification possibilities riding high on this game, it is expected that both teams will go for each others' jugular, making it an frenzied contest. Kick off is at 7 PM IST.
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