Local favourite Shylo Malsawmtluanga (injured for the game) and David Lalrinmuana, both former Kingfisher East Bengal players will only make the familiarity factor between the two sides stronger. Liandala Sena, Andrei Ionescu and Jonathan Lalrawngbawla are injured as well.
"It's a very good challenge facing East Bengal in the first game. All the teams want to beat the champions. We are ready to compete", the Portuguese said.
He added, "We are still a small team compared to the likes of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan even though we are champions."
Skipper Alfred Jaryan only had words of praise. He said, "East Bengal are the big guns in Indian football. Khalid Jamil is mighty experienced and has been on the circuit for many years. He knows how to get the best of all players. He will be a huge factor."
The I-League returns to the refurbished Salt Lake Stadium after 675 days and Kingfisher East Bengal will be hoping to stamp the early authority in their bid to win their first-ever I-League trophy.
They will face stiff resistance from Aizawl FC, who with a revamped side will be itching to prove that their title-winning season last time was no fluke.
Very impressed with Mirshad, Bazie, Eduardo...standout performer again Amna...the guy has leader written all over him...Katsumi slightly anonymous initially, came into his own in the later stages...why Rafique, could be replaced with Ralte maybe?
Comments
Local favourite Shylo Malsawmtluanga (injured for the game) and David Lalrinmuana, both former Kingfisher East Bengal players will only make the familiarity factor between the two sides stronger. Liandala Sena, Andrei Ionescu and Jonathan Lalrawngbawla are injured as well.
"It's a very good challenge facing East Bengal in the first game. All the teams want to beat the champions. We are ready to compete", the Portuguese said.
He added, "We are still a small team compared to the likes of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan even though we are champions."
Skipper Alfred Jaryan only had words of praise. He said, "East Bengal are the big guns in Indian football. Khalid Jamil is mighty experienced and has been on the circuit for many years. He knows how to get the best of all players. He will be a huge factor."
The I-League returns to the refurbished Salt Lake Stadium after 675 days and Kingfisher East Bengal will be hoping to stamp the early authority in their bid to win their first-ever I-League trophy.
They will face stiff resistance from Aizawl FC, who with a revamped side will be itching to prove that their title-winning season last time was no fluke.