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What's the story?
Mohun Bagan Coach Sanjoy Sen has asserted that they will travel to Ludhiana for the I-League opener against Minerva Punjab on 25th November without two of their key foreigners. Defender Diogo Ferreira and Midfielder Yuta Kinowaki have been dropped, citing injury concerns.
In case you didn't know...
Mohun Bagan have brought in four new foreigners to the squad for the upcoming I-League campaign. Ansumana Kromah, Diogo Ferreira, Yuta Kinowaki and Dipanda Dicka being the new ones, while Sony Norde was retained and has been appointed as the captain.
The heart of the matter
Australian defensive midfielder Diogo Ferreira suffered a back spasm during training and has been rested for recovery. On the Contrary, Japanese Attacking Midfielder Yuta Kinowaki suffered a groin injury in training as well, which can put him out of play for several days.
With this loss, the onus will be now on the Indian defenders Kingshuk Debnath and Bikramjit Singh to not allow the Mariners present a sturdy defence. Minerva Punjab striker Chencho Gyeltshen will look to capitalise on Diogo's absence.
Yuta Kinowaki's absence also proves costly as Minerva Punjab are a very unpredictable side. They clinched a surprise victory over Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC by 3-2 in the pre-season. Rana Gharami and Sk Faiaz have the responsibility of handling the depleted midfield.
Mohun Bagan Squad vs Minerva Punjab:
Sony Norde (C), Soram Porei (GK), Shilton Paul (GK), Bikramjit Singh, Gurjinder Kumar, Ricky Lallawmawma, Kingshuk Debnath, Arijit Bagui, Rana Gharami, Sk. Faiaz, Chesterpaul Lyngdoh, Naro Hari Shrestha, Ansumana Kromah, Sourav Das, Dipanda Dicka, Shilton D’Silva, Raynier Fernandes.
What's next?
Mohun Bagan travel to Ludhiana in the morning of 23rd November, for their first I-League match of the season.
Author's Take
Chencho Gyeltshen, being the top scorer in Bhutan will be a menace in the Mohun Bagan box, thus making it interesting how the Indian defenders fill Diogo's shoes, to prevent the Boys in Blue from scoring.
Yuta's absence is also crucial and an opportunity for Minerva Punjab to exploit the potential empty places against the run of play.
