Calcutta: Mohun Bagan supporters will have a silent prayer on their lips when they meet Chennai City FC in the last round of the I-League at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on Sunday.
A victory at home for Mohun Bagan and an away loss for Aizawl FC against Shillong Lajong will give Sanjoy Sen’s men the title on better goal difference.
Mohun Bagan (33) are placed second in the points table, three points behind Aizawl (36).
A draw will be enough for the Khalid Jamil-coached Aizawl to script history and become I-League winners for the first time.
Mohun Bagan beat Aizawl 3-2 at home but lost 0-1 in an away tie thus taking their head-to-head advantage out of the equation. On the goal difference count, Mohun Bagan are ahead by four goals than Aizawl.
“Our aim is to win and end the league on a high. I am not thinking about what will happen there (in Shillong),” Mohun Bagan coach Sen told reporters on the eve of the game.
“Mohun Bagan have struggled against the so-called not so big teams like Minerva and Chennai... So I have told the boys to be cautious,” he said.
Sen reminded that his prediction at the start of the I-League had finally come true.
“I said earlier that the title will be decided in the last game, and this is what is going to happen tomorrow.”
Mohun Bagan have a few injury concerns in Subashish Bose and Pronay Halder, who have been ruled out for the season, but the former could feature in the Federation Cup beginning next month.
U-22 player Raynier Fernandes returned to training and could give fellow youngster Azharuddin Mallick a fight for a place in the starting XI.
With Mallick’s performance much short of expectations against Aizawl, Sen may go in for Raynier Fernandes to fulfil the U-22 quota.
Chennai City FC coach V. Soundararajan said it’s a great opportunity for his side.
“Mohun Bagan are one of the best clubs in India. It is a great opportunity for us to play against Mohun Bagan. We will go all out. Echezona Anyichie is ruled out.”
Brazilian Charles will be the only foreigner in the starting XI on Sunday as Marcos Thank won’t be available. Chennai City FC are eighth in the table having 17 points. They lost 1-6 to Churchill Brothers in their last game.
“We did not have Eche so it was a big blow to us,” the coach said. Echezona was sent off in the 61st minute following a second yellow card.
To avoid any controversy, the AIFF has ensured that both matches begin at 7 pm.
TODAY’S MATCHES
In Calcutta: Mohun Bagan vs Chennai City (7 pm)
In Pune: DSK Shivajians vs Minerva Punjab (4.30 pm)
In Shillong: Lajong FC vs Aizawl FC (7 pm)
