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While East Bengal have only started their season, Semen Padang only recently resumed their season following a two month Ramadan break. They were running away with the Indonesian Premier League (IPL) title before the break with 40 points from 15 games but were held to a 2-2 draw by Persijap last Wednesday. Padang still remain seven points clear at the top with a game in hand and have lost just once in 23 matches in all competitions with 19 of them ending in victory.
Like East Bengal, Semen Padang too doesn’t have any domestic assignment in between the two legs with their next league encounter not until the first week of October. While East Bengal coach Falopa’s wish of playing a friendly against a foreign club side wasn’t granted, Padang faced Singapore outfit Tampines Rovers earlier this month and beat them 2-0. That game certainly helped in their preparations for this tie however the artificial turf of the Salt Lake Stadium will remain a concern for the visitors and their performance tomorrow will depend a lot on how they adapt to the unfamiliar ground conditions.
Like East Bengal, Semen Padang too were looking to avoid a West Asian team in the last eight. So it’s fair to say that like the Kolkata club, the Indonesian team too will fancy their chances of making the semi-finals. Since it’s the away leg, Semen Padang don’t really have to go all out for a win but back in the group stage, they showed plenty of attacking intent as they beat Hong Kong’s Kitchee, one of the best South-East Asian club sides, home and away.
Technically and physically, Semen Padang possibly have an edge over East Bengal on paper but it would be interesting to see how they cope with the magnitude of the game as the AFC Cup quarter-finals is unknown territory for them. They showed a few nerves against Vietnam’s SHB Da Nang in the one-legged round of 16 tie, where they needed an injury time winner to go through.
Coach Jafri Sastra would be hoping that his team deal with the psychological challenge better this time and give a strong away performance as there are plenty of expectations from the team, with East Sumatra’s governor also making the trip to Kolkata.
Form Guide
East Bengal: WLWWW
East Bengal’s home form in the 2013 AFC Cup has been immaculate, with four wins in as many games. They faced Indonesia’s Persipura Jayapura in the 2011 group stage and failed to beat them home and away. Falopa would at least hope to win the home leg this time.
Semen Padang: WWWWD
The draw against Persijap last midweek ended a sequence of eight straight wins going back to May. Semen Padang have also won their last five matches in the AFC Cup, including the 3-1 home win over I-League champions Churchill Brothers.
Team News
East Bengal
Falopa has retained the core of Trevor Morgan’s side and has mostly used the 4-4-2 system in practice games and the Calcutta Football League. The big decision for the Brazilian will be whether to start with Japanese Ryuji Sueoka, who hasn’t been entirely fit in the coach’s eyes while Falopa also has to take a call about Joaquim Abranches, who has started the two local league games but isn’t the best defensively. James Moga and Edeh Chidi should start in attack.
Possible XI: Abhijit Mondal; Naoba Singh, Arnab Mondal, Uga Okpara, Saumik Dey; Reisangmi Vashum, Cavin Lobo, Mehtab Hossain, Lalrindika Ralte; James Moga, Edeh Chidi.
Semen Padang
While East Bengal could play three foreigners out of choice, Semen Padang have one foreigner ruled out due to suspension. Versatile Argentinean attacking midfielder Esteban Vizcarra is the player in question and he along with experienced centre back Wahyu Wijiastanto are unavailable due to double booking. Muhammad Nur Iskandar and Saepulloh Maulana are expected to be their replacements.
Possible XI: Fakhrurrazi; Hengky Ardiles, David Pagbe, Saepulloh Maulana, Ricky Ohorella; Elie Aiboy, Muhammad Rizal, Yoo Hyun-Goo, Titus Bonai; Edward Junior Wilson, Muhammad Nur Iskandar.
Player To Watch
East Bengal – Edeh Chidi
The Nigerian netted a hattrick in East Bengal’s last AFC Cup game against Myanmar’s Yangon United in the round of 16 and will be aiming for a similar performance in the first leg also. Chidi would be looking to combine well with James Moga and help East Bengal establish a healthy first leg advantage.
Semen Padang – Edward Junior Wilson
Edward Junior Wilson (in red)
The Liberian missed out on the away game against Churchill Brothers due to visa issues but has otherwise featured in his team’s every other AFC Cup match, scoring nine in six games. Following Mohun Bagan’s reported interest, Wilson will be under pressure to live up to the expectations.
