Air-India-East Bengal NFL preview from MUmbai

Air-India-East Bengal NFL preview from MUmbai
Dharmendra Jore

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 11: Air-India, dogged by injury and some lapses, had a bumpy flight against Tollygunge Agragami in a National Football League (NFL) match at the Cooperage last week. Many thought Agragami were an easy target to hit at, but the resultant goalless draw saw the airmen receive brickbats.

Come tomorrow, and Air-India will clash against one of the mighty sides in the NFL -- East Bengal. Airmen's job will be much tougher this time. It was three key players -- Radhakrishna Dubey, Khambiton Singh and Osborne D'Souza, who were down when they took on Tollygunge. Unfortunately, they are yet to regain fitness. To further add to A-I's distress, the list has been added to by their old horse Godfrey Perreira. And perhaps, Nerendra may extend the injury order on the morrow.

Problems notwithstanding, Air-India coach Bimal Ghosh oozes confidence. ``Don't worry. I know what others are thinking about tomorrow. But I tell you, nothing will happen as per their wishes. Only good will happen," he assured.

Ghosh's confidence apart, Air-India would need the potent strikers, which they have been lacking since long. Forwards Herbert Philip and Anthony Fernandes remain a major worry, while want of Godefrey Perreira's presence may multiply A-I's problems. Khalid Jamil, Bungo Singh, Raju Singh and Ratan Singh will have to toughen the defence.

East Bengal have arrived here with a string of victories. They have beaten formidable Salgaocar recently and are ready to thwart any challenge with the help of their star players -- Suley Mussah, Dipak Mondal, Ratan Singh, Jackson Agaypong, Dipankar Roy, Carlton Chapman, Isiaka Awoyemi, Chandan Das, Dipedu Biswas, Omolaja Olalekan and Sreekanta Dutta. Striker Bijen Singh, who missed the game against Salgaocar, may be seen in action tomorrow, informed East Begal team management.