Bottom-placed SC East Bengal, with nothing really to lose any more, will take on Mumbai City FC in their ISL match in Margao on Tuesday.

For SC East Bengal, it is all about not finishing at the foot of the table. The red-and-gold brigade have won just one game so far and have also scored the joint fewest goals along with Chennaiyin FC. The Mario Rivera-coached side have also dropped too many points from winning positions.

SC East Bengal will be missing the services of Hira Mondal, who has been one of their best performers, as the left-back picked up his fourth booking in the last game. Naocha Singh, who is on loan from Mumbai, will also not be available.

“Hira is a fantastic player and has a very distinctive set of skills. I talk to him a lot. If he keeps going like this and learns every day, he will be on the national team soon. But for now, he needs to learn more and correct his mistakes,” said Rivera.

Jhingan apologises

ATK Mohun Bagan defender Sandesh Jhingan on Monday apologised for making a comment after his ISL team’s 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters.

A video uploaded on ATK Mohun Bagan’s Instagram page, which has since been deleted, captured the 28-year-old defender as saying, “Aurato ke saath match khel aaya hoon, aurato ke saath” (I have played a match with women, with women) as he made his way back to the dressing room at Vasco on Saturday.

His comment caused an uproar on social media, forcing him to issue an apology. “I have had the time to sit and reflect, something which I should have done, instead to react...” Jhingan said in a video he posted on Twitter.