I-League: Round 4 Preview – Super Midweek finally sees East Bengal in action

Game of the round

Salgaocar vs Dempo

Salgaocar (in green) won the Goan derby against Churchill Brothers on round 1

Any local derby is always important but this game has extra significance due to the contrasting starts of the two sides. While Salgaocar have won each of their first two games including a Goan derby against Churchill Brothers, Dempo have failed to win after three matches. Salgaocar haven’t taken any time at all to settle under new coach Derrick Pereira, who once again looks set to mount a title challenge with a modest squad but Dempo understandably need time to get over the highly-successful Armanda Colaco era and find the winning formula under Australian Arthur Papas.

Papas was absent in the draw against Rangdajied United as he is in Australia due to visa issues and won’t be available for this game also. The Dempo squad looks one of the better ones on paper but they are still yet to play as a team and would be hoping to finally get their combinations right in this encounter after throwing away a two-goal lead against Rangdajied. Salgaocar have been flawless so far as they are yet to concede with India international goalkeeper Karanjit Singh being in inspirational form while Scotsman Darryl Duffy has lived up to the expectations with two goals in as many games.

Dempo’s two high-profile foreigners haven’t had the impact which the Goan club was hoping for as former Australia international defender Simon Colosimo has failed to earn his team a clean sheet while striker Billy Mehmet, a West Ham youth product, is yet to score from open play.

This promises to be an exciting contest with plenty at stake already even at this early stage of the season as a win for Salgaocar will confirm their status as one of the title contenders while three points for Dempo could kick-start the Papas era.

Players to watch out for

Foreigner: Eric Muranda (Mohun Bagan)

The Kenyan striker has proved many critics wrong with his match-winning performances in the Calcutta Football League and now would be aiming to bring that form into the I-League. With skipper and talisman Odafa Okolie still absent, Muranda has the chance to show that Mohun Bagan can rely on him also.

Indian: Lalrindika Ralte (East Bengal)

Lalrindika Ralte (no.21) would look to get on the scoresheet against Lajong

The Mizoram medio created history in the AFC Cup and now would be aiming to make a good start in the I-League. Lalrindika netted at least five goals in each of the last two campaigns and has the potential to reach double figures this season. A goal in the first game against Lajong will give him confidence to achieve that.