Emami East Bengal will look to proceed its new-found profitable momentum within the Kolkata derby because it takes the pitch towards Punjab FC in its last group-stage sport within the Durand Cup 2023.
The Red-and-Gold Brigade beat arch-rival Mohun Bagan Super Giant for the primary time in 4 years, with Nandhakumar Sekar scoring the winner on the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
“It felt surreal to win the derby in front of our fans on Saturday. The kind of support we got that day was spectacular and it was one of the prime reasons why the boys felt more motivated to give their best on the pitch,” Carles Cuadrat, the top coach of EBFC instructed reporters.
East Bengal had began its Durand Cup marketing campaign this 12 months, with a 2-2 draw towards Bangladesh Army Football Team the place it allowed two late targets to drop factors.
In its second sport, it appeared to have contained that tendency, guaranteeing a clear sheet – the primary one for former Kerala Blasters Prabhsukhan Gill on the membership.
Before its conflict towards Punjab, EBFC has additionally been bolstered with the inclusion of Cleiton Silva, the membership’s highest goalscorer final season and Spanish centre-back Jose Antonio Pardo.
“The derby win is past now and our focus has shifted to our next match against Punjab FC, which is going to be a virtual knockout for us. We have been trying to analyse our mistakes and see where we can improve,” Cuadrat added.
Punjab, previously often called RoundGlass Punjab FC, then again, comes into the sport because the bottom-placed membership within the group.
After a 0-2 loss to Mohun Bagan, adopted by a goalless draw to BAFT, the I-League 2022-23 Champion is on the verge of a group-stage exit and can search for a win to extend its probabilities of progressing as a second-placed staff from the group.
ALSO READ: Indian soccer legend Mohammed Habib passes away at 74
“We are facing one of the biggest clubs in India and we recognize the difficulties of the game. East Bengal has a squad full of quality players and is coming after a massive victory against Mohun Bagan, so, they are definitely in good morale,” Punjab’s head coach Staikos Vergatis stated earlier than the match.
“From our side, we are taking the game very seriously irrespective of the outcome. We have analyzed the opponent and are entirely focused on the game to present a good challenge to East Bengal.”
A win right here would seal a quarterfinal spot for East Bengal since 2019 when it had misplaced to eventual champion Gokulam Kerala 3-2 on penalties.
For Punjab, will probably be one other probability to rub shoulders with Indian Super League golf equipment earlier than its maiden ISL marketing campaign begins later this 12 months.
The match will likely be performed on the Kishore Bharati Krirangan with the kick-off scheduled at 6:00 pm.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com