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In a match-up of two I-League sides, defending champions East Bengal Club take on United SC in a Calcutta Premier Division – Super 12 match at the Saltlake Stadium on Sunday evening.
Despite all the hype surrounding it, Eelco Schattorie, the Purple Brigade coach downplayed the importance of the match and stressed that he will only use it as a platform to prepare for the upcoming Federation Cup.
“This will be only a preparation for the Federation Cup for me. You all know my opinion about the Calcutta League and tomorrow’s match is not a prestige issue for me,” he said.
The coach also revealed the team news after the pre-match practice session. “Bello is back home, so he won’t be there. I am worried about Eric’s injury as well and that means Ranty and Hasan will be my two foreigners tomorrow. It will be a big test for the likes of Hasan and Sheikh Azim before the Fed Cup,” Schattorie informed.
Ranty Martins Soleye, the prolific Nigerian also talked after the practice session. “My new year resolution is to reach new heights and regain my old form. I will try to start it from tomorrow.”
Nigerian Ranty and Rafique will start upfront tomorrow as well as Sheikh Azim and Syrian Hasan Al Moustafa in the heart of defence as Bello had to return to his Country for few days. He will come back on January 7.
Probable United SC: Abhijit Das – Deepak Mondal, Hasan Al Moustafa, Sheikh Azim, Dhanachandra Singh – Souvik Chakraborty, Tapan Maity, Lalkamal Bhowmick, K. Asif – Mohammed Rafique, Ranty Martins Soleye
