Blame it on rain
Mahindra’s Steven Dias wasn’t that worried about the rain factor. “We practised on slushy grounds for the last two days and that’s how it is in Mumbai,” he said.
The I-League match between Mahindra United and East Bengal will take place at the Cooperage on Wednesday, despite the Kolkata outfit’s appeal to the parent body for postponement.
Recent rain has affected the teams’ preparation and the players, expectedly, are unhappy.
“We couldn’t practise for three days, I don’t know how to assess the conditions of the players before finalising the first XI,” East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick said on Tuesday.
Bhowmick, however, is not complaining about the ground conditions. “This is perhaps better than the Cooperage in the past. The pitch looks okay, I wish we had at least a practice session here.” But the Kolkatan is upset that the Western India Football Association did not allow them to practice at the venue.
Despite rains the teams are in high spirits. “There is no preparation at all… we will have to play the match starightaway and that’s the only problem. Now let’s see how it goes tomorrow,” East Bengal’s star striker and India captain Baichung Bhutia told DNA.
But Mahindra’s Steven Dias wasn’t that worried about the rain factor. “We practised on slushy grounds for the last two days and that’s how it is in Mumbai,” he said. Having beaten East Bengal 2-0 in their last encounter in the Durand Cup may give the Mumbai side an edge over their Kolkata rivals. But Dias doesn’t agree with that.
“They are a different side now with the inclusion of few great players. They have someone like Baichung and Yusif Yakubu has also joined the force, which will make them much stronger,” Dias felt.
But the Mumbai team is a bit skeptical about the fact they will have to take on East Bengal on slushy ground conditions. “The advantage of playing at home is not there anymore. Kolkata teams play well in these ground conditions and it will be an advantage for them,” Dias quipped.
Both outfits are on one point after as many outing. Mahindra drew against Churchill Brothers while East held Pune FC in an away match.
Recent rain has affected the teams’ preparation and the players, expectedly, are unhappy.
“We couldn’t practise for three days, I don’t know how to assess the conditions of the players before finalising the first XI,” East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick said on Tuesday.
Bhowmick, however, is not complaining about the ground conditions. “This is perhaps better than the Cooperage in the past. The pitch looks okay, I wish we had at least a practice session here.” But the Kolkatan is upset that the Western India Football Association did not allow them to practice at the venue.
Despite rains the teams are in high spirits. “There is no preparation at all… we will have to play the match starightaway and that’s the only problem. Now let’s see how it goes tomorrow,” East Bengal’s star striker and India captain Baichung Bhutia told DNA.
But Mahindra’s Steven Dias wasn’t that worried about the rain factor. “We practised on slushy grounds for the last two days and that’s how it is in Mumbai,” he said. Having beaten East Bengal 2-0 in their last encounter in the Durand Cup may give the Mumbai side an edge over their Kolkata rivals. But Dias doesn’t agree with that.
“They are a different side now with the inclusion of few great players. They have someone like Baichung and Yusif Yakubu has also joined the force, which will make them much stronger,” Dias felt.
But the Mumbai team is a bit skeptical about the fact they will have to take on East Bengal on slushy ground conditions. “The advantage of playing at home is not there anymore. Kolkata teams play well in these ground conditions and it will be an advantage for them,” Dias quipped.
Both outfits are on one point after as many outing. Mahindra drew against Churchill Brothers while East held Pune FC in an away match.