@sam: The news of EB playing their U19 team in the Durand Cup has been reported only by Goal so far. There has been no official confirmation of it from the club. Keeping in mind Goal's recent trend of maligning the Big Two of Kolkata for their anti-ISL stance, there is a reasonable doubt of the veracity of the news. (However, they have said this time that MB and Mohammedan are likely to play their strongest eleven in the tournament...did somebody say divide and rule? )
Do you know which local Kolkata teams EB played against?
Badamtala Ashar Sangha and Kalighat. Against Badamtala EB conceded 1. Ronaldo scored in both matches. Pintu Tondomba Brandon were on the score sheets against kalighat. Colado in the other match.
About the Durand news, some Bengali media also reported it. Final decision hasn't been taken yet. Ranjan has been asked to start preparing his boys. MB will field their 1st team. Others are bringing reserve side. So EB in dilemma. Probably it'll be a mix of bench players and U19. The main team will play in CFL.
The Army writes to the AIFF apprising them of EB's decision ('"reliably learnt") to field their U19 team for the Durand Cup and requests them to intervene in the matter. If one grants that EB's decision of not fielding their senior team is not in the spirit of things, is the ISL clubs' decision of fielding their reserve teams "in good taste" and "does...justice to the Legacy of this prestigious tournament"? Do different set of rules apply to different participating clubs in the Durand Cup? Isn't this called double standard?
Alejandro Menendez reached Kolkata on Wednesday morning and took charge of East Bengal's practice session at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The Spanish coach lashed out at the fixture list which sees the Red and Golds play twice in three days, against George Telegraph on July 31 in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) and against Army Red on August 3 in the Durand Cup.
?"It is not acceptable to play two matches in three days. It is an absolute disaster and no professional team must work like that," opined Menendez.
East Bengal is set to field their U19 side in the Durand Cup so that the players remain fresh for more important tournaments like the Super Cup and I-League.
?"The team we have will play all the tournaments. Our targets are the main leagues; I-League and Super Cup. We have to take care of all our players we have to take care of the development of our academy players as well.
?They are not only here for practice but to play. Our goals are to make the players better and improve our strategies and tactics. We have to keep them fit so that they can give their best. They have great motivation. Our job is to develop them."
The former Real Madrid Castilla coach revealed that the club is in talks with a striker and the deal will be closed very soon.
Jobby Justin has been given the green light to join ATK but Menendez refused to comment on his departure.
Comments
Do you know which local Kolkata teams EB played against?
About the Durand news, some Bengali media also reported it. Final decision hasn't been taken yet. Ranjan has been asked to start preparing his boys. MB will field their 1st team. Others are bringing reserve side. So EB in dilemma. Probably it'll be a mix of bench players and U19. The main team will play in CFL.
https://bangla.xtratime.in/%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%a8-%e0%a6%87%e0%a6%b8%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%9f%e0%a6%ac%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%99%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%97%e0%a6%b2%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%bf%e0%a7%9f%e0%a7%8b%e0%a6%97/
The Army writes to the AIFF apprising them of EB's decision ('"reliably learnt") to field their U19 team for the Durand Cup and requests them to intervene in the matter. If one grants that EB's decision of not fielding their senior team is not in the spirit of things, is the ISL clubs' decision of fielding their reserve teams "in good taste" and "does...justice to the Legacy of this prestigious tournament"? Do different set of rules apply to different participating clubs in the Durand Cup? Isn't this called double standard?
HE is here
Ale said another foreign striker is coming. Salary talks are in final stage.
100-Year Kick
Good review of the history of East Bengal