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After a two-day breather, teams from Group B and C resume their Federation Cup campaign on Saturday. Sportskeeda previews the action.
Group B
Sporting Clube vs East Bengal (17:00)
This is a must-win game for both sides as anything less could eliminate them if Bengaluru beat Rangdajied later on. Sporting Clube had a horrendous first half against Bengaluru so despite scoring thrice in the second period they couldn’t get anything from their opener. East Bengal were even more disappointing as they had to come from behind to hold relegation-threatened Rangdajied 1-1. Encouragingly the red-and-gold-brigade failed to win their opening game in the last two editions also but reached the final on both occasions. Back in 2011 also they were in the group of death but Trevor Morgan’s side bounced back with two great performances and the batch of 2014 under Armando Colaco would need something similar. But Sporting Clube wont be any pushovers and they nearly beat East Bengal in the I-League earlier in the season with a only a deflected stoppage time equaliser earning the Kolkata club a point.
Key Battle: Ogba Kalu – Harmanjot Khabra
For all East Bengal’s attacking resources, they continue to lack balance in midfield with vice captain Harmanjot Khabra getting overworked against Rangdajied. If that problem is not addressed, Sporting Clube’s Ogba Kalu will become influential and that could take the game away from East Bengal.
Rangdajied United vs Bengaluru FC (19:30)
The resurgence of Rangdajied United has continued in the Federation Cup also as Santosh Kashyap’s side more than held their own against favourites and holders East Bengal. They would now be aiming to go one better in this game but I-League leaders Bengaluru are in red hot form themselves and could even book their place in the semis before matchday three. The only negative for Bengaluru from the Sporting Clube clash was the fact that they got complacent and allowed the Goan club to come back in the contest. Ashley Westwood’s side can’t afford such slackness in this game because Rangdajied have the resources to capitalise and cause an upset. Bengaluru comfortably won 3-0 when the sides met in September but Rangdajied are a much stronger team now and will come into this game with full of confidence.
Key Battle: Yohei Iwasaki – Beikhokhei Beingaichho
Bengaluru’s right midfielder Beikhokhei has been one of the best players in the I-League and his good form continued in the Federation Cup also as he bagged a brace in the opener. Japanese Iwasaki will be playing at left back for Rangdajied and thus must win his battle with Beikhokhei if the Shillong club want to get any result.
Group C
Shillong Lajong vs Mohun Bagan (16:30; LIVE on Ten Action)
Despite avoiding the opening day blues for the first time since 2010 and winning against Mumbai FC, Mohun Bagan are in a must-win situation again because anything less will give Lajong a big advantage going into the final matchday as the Shillong club won 4-0 in their first game. The Mariners need to beat Lajong to go top before the final round and keep their hopes alive of ending the trophy drought in this tournament. The green-and-maroon brigade are expected to have skipper and talisman Odafa Okolie available but strangely Karim Bencherifa’s side have played more as a team in the Nigerian’s absence with Japanese Katsumi Yusa being inspirational. But Odafa’s quality is still unquestionable so Lajong would be glad that their club captain and central defender Minchol Son could be ready to start. It finished 1-1 when the sides met in Shillong back in November, a similar result would put the Kolkata giants in trouble.
Key Battle: Cornell Glen – Echezona Anyichie
The 2006 Trinidad and Tobago World Cupper was outstanding in Lajong’s opener but Salgaocar’s defending was also charitable at times. Glen will face a much tougher challenge in Mohun Bagan but Echezona must at his very best and will be well aware that if the 32-year-old is stopped, Lajong will struggle to score.
Mumbai FC vs Salgaocar (19:00; LIVE on Ten Action)
Following defeats on matchday one both sides will be desperate for maximum points to remain in contention for a semi-final place. Mumbai could have taken a point against Mohun Bagan had their finishing been better but Salgaocar looked completely clueless and produced one of the worst performances in the club’s rich history. Derrick Pereira hasn’t had much luck in this competition since winning it with Mahindra United in 2006 but he will be demanding a response from his players. But that wont be easy as confidence is low as they haven’t won since November. However the Goan club will take confidence from the fact that they won 3-1 in Pune in the I-League meeting between the two. Mumbai only lost by a solitary goal against Mohun Bagan so a victory in this clash would very much keep them in the hunt going into the final round of games on Tuesday.
Key Battle: Yusif Yakubu – Chika Wali
Ghanaian Yakubu was well marshalled by the Mohun Bagan defence and at times had to do too much on his own. The Salgaocar backline will have do a similar job and their Nigerian centre back Chika Wali will have to take extra responsibility in keeping a close eye on Yakubu.
