In a recent incident Sailen Manna broke his leg last night and had been hospitalised. We wish Mannada a speedy recovery as Mohun Bagan prepare to play their first I League match against Pailan Arrows tomorrow. Kick-off time: 6.30pm at Yuba Bharati Krirangan. I League is going to be inaugurated today. First match will be played at Goa between defending champion Salgaocar S.C. and Dempo S.C. Salgaocar is this year’s Federation Cup Champions too. There are three other matches to be played today at different venues.

Mohun Bagan will meet Pailan Arrows tomorrow, 23rd October at 6.30pm. There is huge interest and ecpectation among the football lovers as well as Mohun Bagan supporters for  team Mohun Bagan under the new set of coaching staff. After watching the practice it seems Mariners will be played in the traditional 4-4-2 combination.

The probable first-XI for the first match : Sangram (GK), Pradip (Right Back), Kingshuk, Anwar (Central Defenders), Dhanrajan (Left Back), Gouranga Dutta (Right Half), Rakesh Masih (Defensive Medio), Hudson Lima (Attacking Medio), Rahim Nabi (Left Half), Odafa / Ashim, Sunil (Forwards).

On be half of all the mariners mohunbaganclub.com wish Team Mohun Bagan a grand success in this year I League.

Mohun Bagan has registered the following players for the I League so far : Sangram Mukherjee, Shilton Pal, Anwar Ali, Rakesh Masih, R. Dhanrajan, Kingshuk Debnath, Jewel Raja, Manish Maithani, Gouranga Dutta, N.P. Pradeep, Rahim Nabi, Hudson Lima, Ashim Biswas, Sunil Chhetri, Odafa Okolie, Jose Barreto.

Team Mohun Bagan started practice under the new TD today. The coaching staff – TD Subrata Bhattacharya, Coach Prasanta Banerjee, Asst. Coach Bernard Oparanozie and Goalkeeping coach Hemanta Dora seemed to be optimistic and confident that the team will play well in the forthcoming iLeague.

Bagan veteran and Dronacharya Syed Nayeemuddin  was present in the Mohun Bagan ground today. He wished success to the TD and the team. If the practice session is any indication then Simon Storey’s place in the playing XI could be a remote affair now.The defence now can be of an Indian one with Kingshuk, Anwar, Daljit and Dhanarajan. Nabi can move up to strengthen the midfield. Gouranga can operate from the right with Pradip and Manish as the central midfielders.

The newly appointed Technical Director and coach of McDowell Mohun Bagan met the press today after the team practice at the club tent. There was a morning practice session at Mohun Bagan Ground and Subrata Bhattacharya and Prasanta Banerjee started their combination to train McDowell Mohun Bagan. Manager Bernard and goalkeepers’ coach Hemanta Dora also were present. All the players including Barreto and Odafa attended the practice. Bagan veteran and Dronacharya Syed Naeemuddin was there in the Mohun Bagan ground today. He wished success to the TD and the team. If the practice session is an indication, Simon Storey’s place in the playing XI could be doubtful henceforth. Here is the synopsis of the press meet.

Regarding fitness Subrata Bhattacharya (Bablu) said that there is no team in India having top fitness. The Indian National team conceded 13 goals in 3 matches, so how can anybody say that only Mohun Bagan has fitness problems. He said the same thing regarding the defence, too. Replying to a question from a journalist, Subrata said that one should specify the problem of the defence before criticising it. In reply to a question regarding Jonathan Corner, Subrata said that it is an internal matter and regarding fitness they will all work together.

Subrata also said that their primary goal is winning the I-League; time is very short. But everybody has to try together; he assured all concerned that success will come definitely. He also said that there is not a big difference between the teams in India, so there is no reason to be unsuccessful. He gave examples of other clubs who have won the Fed Cup but failed in other tournaments.

Subrata added that Barreto, Odafa, Chhetri are always the headache of opponents, so Mohun Bagan have too much power to be successful.

Coach Prasanta Banerjee also joined the practice and he too was in the press meet. He said that as a technical committee member he had noted the details of the team’s situation regarding injury etc. and has now passed on all information to the technical director.

Subrata said about Prasanta that he is very good coach and he has good technical knowlege as he was a very good footballer as well; he has completed AFC and FIFA’s  coaching courses. Prasanta has a lot of achievements, so it will be very good for team Mohun Bagan that he has been appointed as coach. Bablu also said that he will assign different jobs for Prasanta for the benefit of the team.

Barreto congratulated the new  TD and coach and said that they will work together and bring success to the team.  Subrata said that confindence of the team has to be boosted up.

Moreover, both the Technical Director and the Coach have a primary goal to be succesful in the I-League, which is the hope and aspiration of all Mohun Bagan supporters, players and officials.

McDowell Mohun Bagan will start their I-League campaign on Sunday, 23rd October against Pailan Arrows at Yuba Bharato Krirangan.

 Picture Courtesy : AAJKAAL