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Mohun Bagan will be itching to ruin the record of bitter rivals Kingfisher East Bengal as they try to clinch the Calcutta Football League (CFL) 2017 in the title-deciding derby match tomorrow in Siliguri.
LIVE UPDATES AND COMMENTARY: East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan, CFL 2017
East Bengal have been dominant in the CFL for seven years running at the moment. The record 38-time champions will be eager to take their tally to 39 and eight on the trot as the Red and Golds go into the 'Big Match' only needing a draw to be crowned champions.
The Mariners are currently level on points with East Bengal with 22 points, but the Red and Golds have the edge on goal difference. East Bengal have found the back of the net 26 times over the course of the CFL 2017 and have only conceded five goals.
Bagan, on the other hand, who last won the title in 2009, will be heavily dependent on their talismanic duo of Kamo Stephane Bayi and Ansumana Kromah, both of whom have been prolific up front this term. The attackers will need to play a crucial role if they are to deny East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil his maiden title with his new club.
Jamil, who led Aizawl to a fairytale title winning I-League campaign last season, will be hoping to repeat his heroics again with the Kolkata giants this season. "No doubt there's pressure for Sunday's match. We made a good start in the tournament, and now, we need to end it perfectly," he said before leaving for Siliguri, keen to maintain the club's record and get his hands on the season's first silverware.
East Bengal will be fairly happy after being handed a boost by the return to form of Trinidad and Tobago striker Willis Plaza and Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna but will be missing the services of striker VP Suhair who is still out, nursing an injury.
The Kolkata derby matches have always had a sense of fire to them, but this encounter could very well have an extra edge to it after a bitter incident a few days back when the two sets of supporters clashed with each other following East Bengal's thrashing of Tollygunge Agragami. Both the sides are still to be beaten this season and with the derby holding so much importance, it has all the qualities to be one of the classics.
Predicted Lineups
East Bengal: Barreto (GK), Arnab, Mitchell, Chullova, Samad, Ralte, Amna, Rafique, Nikhil, Plaza, Justin
Mohun Bagan: Shilton Paul (GK), Kingsley, Kinshuk, Arijit, Ricky, Azharuddin, Shilton, Raynier, Lyngdoh, Kamo, Kromah
Time and venue: 5 PM; Kanchenjunga Stadium, Siliguri
Where to watch it live: Kolkata TV
