On a high after two successive away wins, East Bengal will look to begin its home campaign on a rousing note when it faces Chennai City in a top-of-the-table I-League clash here on Tuesday.
Chennai City FC has had a good start to the season, notching up seven points from three games
Kolkata:
“I am not sure if Manzi will start the game. We have to see if he can play. We will conduct some physical tests and take the call,” coach Akbar Nawaz said. “If he doesn’t start, Ameeruddin will get the nod,” he added. The last meeting between the two teams at the Salt Lake Stadium, nine months ago, resulted in a disaster for Chennai City, with East Bengal pumping in seven goals. “Last season, we had a different team. Now we have a different set of players. So, I don’t think history will repeat itself. It’ll be a totally different game. We are not keeping in mind the 1-7 loss and will start freshly,” Nawaz said.
Nawaz will hope that his other attack-minded players like Jesus Nestor and Sandro step up and fill the possible void left by Manzi.
Eyeing an elusive I-League title, East Bengal began its campaign with wins against Neroca FC and Shillong Lajong. Chennai City, which has played one match extra, notched up wins against Indian Arrows and Gokulam FC, but was held by Churchill Brothers. Chennai City has the league’s leading goalscorer Pedro Javier Manzi, but there’s a doubt over his availability. He was substituted after pulling up his lower hamstring in the game against Gokulam Kerala FC on November 4.
“I am not sure if Manzi will start the game. We have to see if he can play. We will conduct some physical tests and take the call,” coach Akbar Nawaz said. “If he doesn’t start, Ameeruddin will get the nod,” he added. The last meeting between the two teams at the Salt Lake Stadium, nine months ago, resulted in a disaster for Chennai City, with East Bengal pumping in seven goals. “Last season, we had a different team. Now we have a different set of players. So, I don’t think history will repeat itself. It’ll be a totally different game. We are not keeping in mind the 1-7 loss and will start freshly,” Nawaz said.
Nawaz will hope that his other attack-minded players like Jesus Nestor and Sandro step up and fill the possible void left by Manzi.