Calcutta: Defending their Calcutta Football League title in style and more importantly, with command, East Bengal have made it clear that they mean business this season.

With an eye on the I-League, coach Biswajit Bhattacharya's men are keen to get the maximum out of the Sheikh Kamal International Cup, which begins on Tuesday at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong.

East Bengal too begin their campaign on the opening day, versus Chittagong Abahani, and Bhattacharya is pretty upbeat about his wards' prospects in the competition.

"Thirteen of our players are currently participating in the ISL. Inspite of that, we are a strong team. If we play to our potential, I'm confident we can go on to win the trophy. We mean business. We are not here just as tourists," the coach said on Monday.

Considering how East Bengal fared at the CFL, each and every member of the squad believe that the team can go the distance.

"Our performance will prove that we have came here to become champions," Bhattacharya added.

Captain Deepak Mondal too echoed the coach's words.

"Our team is really good. We will play to become champions. Our defence is pretty tight and so is our attacking line-up that features Ranty (Martins) and Do Dong Hyun," Deepak said.

East Bengal's opponent Chittagong Abahani have bolstered their squad, recruiting several players on loan from Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra. They have also brought in overseas players in Baybeck, Kingsley Chigozie and Yoko Samnick.

Abahani coach, however, isn't too satisfied with his team's preparations. "The preparations have simply not been good enough," Shafiqul Islam Manik said.

"Everything depends on a few experienced players. If they are motivated, utilise home support and give their best, only then can we dare to hope," Manik said.