East Bengal, Mohun Bagan set for Goa in different mode

Kolkata, Dec 7 (UNI) The big two clubs of the city -- East Bengal and Mohun Bagan -- gear up for Goan part of I-league in contrasting styles.

While East Bengal is trying to get over their injury problems and lack of quality foreign support, Mohun Bagan is trying to get their act together.

East Bengal is yet to sort out the mistake recruiting former South African world Cupper McDonald Mukansi. So coach Subrata Bhattacharya refused to sign Nigerian defender and another former World Cupper Mazio Ajao siting fitness problems.

The red-gold brigade was further hamstrung by the injury to M Suresh and Surkumar Singh. He plans to plug this defensive hole with Khaoibong and Suryabikash Chakraborty.

Ashim Biswas will also miss the Goan stint with an injury, which is forcing Subrata to draft in Snehashis Chakraborty.

In contrast Bagan coach Carlos Perriera hopes to get the services of Venkatesh N S Manju and Ames Singh when they start for Gao.

Barreto is also practicing with the ball, but his fitness is not to the mark though.

They have, however, done away with their foreigner problem. With Barreto, Douglas D'Silva already in their ranks and Ndem coming in soon, they have signed overlapping defender Bobo.

While East Bengal has two wins and a loss in the first three games of I-league, Bagan remain at the bottom with just one draw from the same number of outings.

UNI