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KOLKATA: The last time Mohammedan Sporting lifted the Durand Cup – beating ONGC 2-1 in the final in 2013 – Dipendu Biswas was a part of the team as a player. Ending the long wait for a trophy drought and with Pen Orji and Tolgay Ozbey – who scored one of the goals in the final held in New Delhi – in the side, Mohammedan Sporting followed it up with another trophy, IFA Shield.
Ahead of facing FC Goa in the Durand Cup final on Sunday, Dipendu, now associated with the black-and-white brigade as a team manager, believes that the city side is better placed to set the season on fire.
“We have hand-picked this team in consultation with our coach (Andre Chernyshov) and its potential has started bearing fruit after days of planning at the start of the season. Even when they were going through a lean patch, we believed in the players. FC Goa are certainly a big name. But trust me, my team won’t be intimidated by the occasion tomorrow,” Dipendu told TOI on Saturday.
After losing three matches and drawing another across two simultaneously-held tournaments – the CFL Premier Division being the other – Mohammedan Sporting subdued FC Bengaluru United 4-2 on their way to the final. If the Russian coach would like to attribute this turnaround to the return of fans at the stands, Dipendu picked the better and bigger ground at the Salt Lake Stadium as a key reason behind the team’s change in fortunes.
FC Goa, on the other hand, are still a work in progress. Juan Ferrando has come here with a strong side while using this tournament as a preparation before taking aim at the ISL glory back home next month. “It’s a good opportunity and experience for our players. “We are playing the final of a tournament and surely the team’s mentality will be more aggressive than a typical friendly game,” FC Goa’s Spanish coach said.
FC Goa have already shown their intent here, scoring 16 goals in their 5 games. “We know we are in pre-season. But when you are in a final and have the chance of winning a trophy, you only think about that,” their Spanish midfielder Edu Bedia pointed out.
With Brandon Fernandez, Glan Martins and Sertion Fernandez having joined India duty for the SAFF Championship. FC Goa will rely on two prolific young strikers Muhammed Nemil and Devendra Murgaokar.
In fact, Murgaokar will be in a personal battle with Mohammedan Sporting’s Marcus Joseph for the top-scorer’s award having scored five goals each.
Trinidadian striker Marcus leads the team’s attacking charge to which a host of Maidan veterans like Brandon Vanlalremdika, Lalramchullova and Azharuddin Mallick as well as Serbian playmaker Nikola Stojanovic have contributed immensely.
“We respect our opponents. But we know how strong we are. We have had a hard way to come to the final and now we have only one target – to win the final and lift the trophy.” Mohammedan Sporting’s Russian coach said.
FC Goa were forced to run for their money before edging fellow ISL side but a young Bengaluru FC in the sudden death in the second semifinal. But a confidence-oozing Mohammedan Sporting, backed by 25000-odd home supporters, are ready to pose a more serious challenge to Bedia and Co.’s aspirations.
Ahead of facing FC Goa in the Durand Cup final on Sunday, Dipendu, now associated with the black-and-white brigade as a team manager, believes that the city side is better placed to set the season on fire.
“We have hand-picked this team in consultation with our coach (Andre Chernyshov) and its potential has started bearing fruit after days of planning at the start of the season. Even when they were going through a lean patch, we believed in the players. FC Goa are certainly a big name. But trust me, my team won’t be intimidated by the occasion tomorrow,” Dipendu told TOI on Saturday.
After losing three matches and drawing another across two simultaneously-held tournaments – the CFL Premier Division being the other – Mohammedan Sporting subdued FC Bengaluru United 4-2 on their way to the final. If the Russian coach would like to attribute this turnaround to the return of fans at the stands, Dipendu picked the better and bigger ground at the Salt Lake Stadium as a key reason behind the team’s change in fortunes.
FC Goa, on the other hand, are still a work in progress. Juan Ferrando has come here with a strong side while using this tournament as a preparation before taking aim at the ISL glory back home next month. “It’s a good opportunity and experience for our players. “We are playing the final of a tournament and surely the team’s mentality will be more aggressive than a typical friendly game,” FC Goa’s Spanish coach said.
FC Goa have already shown their intent here, scoring 16 goals in their 5 games. “We know we are in pre-season. But when you are in a final and have the chance of winning a trophy, you only think about that,” their Spanish midfielder Edu Bedia pointed out.
With Brandon Fernandez, Glan Martins and Sertion Fernandez having joined India duty for the SAFF Championship. FC Goa will rely on two prolific young strikers Muhammed Nemil and Devendra Murgaokar.
In fact, Murgaokar will be in a personal battle with Mohammedan Sporting’s Marcus Joseph for the top-scorer’s award having scored five goals each.
Trinidadian striker Marcus leads the team’s attacking charge to which a host of Maidan veterans like Brandon Vanlalremdika, Lalramchullova and Azharuddin Mallick as well as Serbian playmaker Nikola Stojanovic have contributed immensely.
“We respect our opponents. But we know how strong we are. We have had a hard way to come to the final and now we have only one target – to win the final and lift the trophy.” Mohammedan Sporting’s Russian coach said.
FC Goa were forced to run for their money before edging fellow ISL side but a young Bengaluru FC in the sudden death in the second semifinal. But a confidence-oozing Mohammedan Sporting, backed by 25000-odd home supporters, are ready to pose a more serious challenge to Bedia and Co.’s aspirations.
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