Mohun Bagan will play Shillong Lajong FC on 6th October in their iLeague opener here at Shillong. Captain Odafa led the 18-member squad from the NSC Bose Airport and he has been guiding the team well. Coach Kashyap seem to be a bit relieved since the Captain of the ship has geared up with the team for the Lajong match. mohunbaganclub.com brings you a match preview of the game. Scottish coach Desmond “Des” Bulpin (the ex- U-23 India Coach) will put on his best combination against Bagan – and would like to retain Lajong’s outstanding performance in their home ground.

Lajong usually go for a 3-4-3 combination. The team is expected to field the following squad –

Basant, Lallawmzuala, Passah, Lalchhuan, Boithang, Jibon, Eugeneson, Samson, Friday, Sushil, Sukore. Lajong was not outstanding in their recent performace in Federation Cup. They won against mumbai FC but went down to Dempo and Pailan Arrows.

Desmond Bulpin’s side go for attack right from the word GO. They try to keep pressure on the opponents constantly with 7 men attacking – and during counter attack they defend with 7 men once again. The players really do well in running on the same speed for 90 mins!

Sukore and Friday are to be taken care of – as they constantly keep pressure on the opposition defense and proper marking is required. Sukore should definitely be marked through out the game as he can convert any half chance to a goal.

Lajong’s most experienced player – Renedy Singh is expected to join the team in the second half. The ex-Bagan captain’s brilliant off the ball moves and free kicks are definitely something one should take care of.

Lalramluaha would come in as a substitute as well – and his down the middle runs can create panic as well. This ex-Bagan boy would definitely like to prove his worth in the game.

Double coverages are expected for Odafa and Tolgay. Bulpin’s boys would try to cut off the supply lines to these strikers in central midfield- and hence Bagan needs to take care of the two wings effectively. Considering the fact that the Lajong boys are faster than the current Bagan squad in the midfield, and with no Manish Bhargav in the team, coach Kashyap would have to decide whether he would have Masih before the  defenders to cover Sukore or should he have  Jewel playing in the central midfield with Nabi operating from right.

Nabi’s experience will definitely a key to Bagan’s success in the match.

With an excellent home match track record and a team with players able to run in the same speed for 90 mins – Bulpin would definitely like to get 3 points from the match. Hence Kashyap must field the right combination in the game. 

Expected team :

Arindam, Nirmal, Eche, Khelemba, Biswajit, Nabi, Jewel, Denson, Snehasish, Odafa, Tolgay

 

Mohun Bagan’s team for the 1st match of the I-League 2012-013 has been announced. The squad consists of 18 players.

 

 

 

 Mohun Bagan’s team for the first I-league match against Shillong Lajong F.C. is:

 

Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharya,Shilton Paul.



Defenders: Echezona Celestine,Khelemba Singh,Aibor Khonjee,Nirmal Chettri,Syed Rahim Nabi,Biswajit Saha,Lalrozama Fanai.



Midfielders: Jewel Raja,Denson Devadasan,Snehashis Chakrabarthy,Manish Maithani,Rakesh Masih,Stanley Cyprian.



Forwards: CS Sabeeth,Odafa Onyeka Okolie,Tolgay Ozbey.

Officials: Santosh Kashyap(Coach), Uttam Saha(Manager), Dr. Protim Ray(Team Doctor), Joseph Ronald(Fitness Coach), Jonathan Corner(Physiotherapist).

The team will leave for Shillong tomorrow.

There has been romours and gossips regarding Odafa’s relationship with some players and officials of other clubs. Odafa himself have denied and clearly mentioned to the fans that he, as captain of Mohun Bagan, will focus only on Mohun Bagan and he has no differences with any other player in the team. The Club president has also come up with a Press Release for the same.

30-Sep, 2012



Dear All,



For the past few days a purposeful/deliberate campaign is going on to demoralize/ malign our beloved Club during the season. Mainly it started from one news about our Captain, Odafa and Tolgay. I have personally spoken to our Captain, Odafa Okolie in person today to find out what is the matter and after talking to him I am confident that some vested interest wants to spread all sorts of rumour about our Coach/ players. He said that the only Team on his mind till the end of the season is MOHUN BAGAN. He has also said that the whole Team is United and the entire Team will give its best in the I League.



I have also had talks with the General Secretary, Mr. Anjan Kumar Mitra; Asst. General Secretary, Mr. Srinjoy Bose and Finance Secretary, Mr. Debashis Dutta and they have confirmed and I have understood that there is no division in the Team and the Team is fully focused on the I League.



I reiterate again that this is a heinous campaign and I am assuring all our members and supporters that our Captain, Odafa Okolie is going to continue. 



I would also take this oppurtunity to ask the Members, supporters and fans of our Club to cheer up, have patience and be optimistic and also root for the Team for the rest of the season, as always. I am sure that the Team will exhibit strenght, team-work and character and justify the faith imposed by all of us. JAI MOHUN BAGAN!



Regards,

Swapan Sadhan Bose (Tutu)

President, Mohun Bagan Athletic Club