Margao: East Bengal will be looking for a hat-trick of victories to keep their winning momentum going as they face Salgaocar FC tomorrow in a fifth round match of the Hero I-League, played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao.
Coming into this match with two straight wins at home against Bengaluru FC and Shillong Lajong, East Bengal are placed third with 7 points from three matches.
While Salgaocar FC who notched their first win defeating Sporting Clube de Goa are placed fifth with 5 points from four matches.
East Bengal assistant coach Sujit Chakraborty addressing press conference in the absence of coach Armando Colaco said,"Our players were not together for three months and as such it affected the team performance in the Federation Cup. Now that they are all together, the team is shaping well."
The red and gold assistant coach was aware about the threat that Salgaocar posed.
"Salgaocar has always being a tough opponent and we have come here well prepared to face them. We will give our best and expectating a close contest and hopefully we win against them which will boost our confidence high ahead of our next derby match against Mohun Bagan at home on February 11," stated Chakraborty.
Mehtab Hossain and Arnab Mondal will be missing tomorrow's match.
"Central defender Mehtab Hossain and midfielder Arnab Mondal will be missing tomorrow's match but we have good bench strength to replace them and most likely Raju Gaekward and Gurjinder Singh will replace them," added Chakraborty.
Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira said,"East Bengal are a tough team to beat and are one of the title contenders. They have got injury worries but have an equally good bench strength. We have to put presssure on their defence if we have to get something out of this match".
