I-League: Mohun Bagan eye return to winning ways against minnows Chennai City FC

Kolkata, January 1: Former champions Mohun Bagan will look to return to winning ways when they face minnows Chennai City FC in an I-League fixture at their home ground here on Tuesday (January 2).

East Bengal not taking Arrows lightly

The Mariners dished out an insipid show to be held 1-1 by a 10-man Indian Arrows at Mohun Bagan ground in the last round.

It was for the first time an I-League match was held at the Kolkata Maidan, but the green-and-maroon brigade failed to make it count against the Indian colts.

Mohun Bagan's last win, a 5-0 demolition of Churchill Brothers, had come on December 12. Since then, they have failed to make their home games count, dropping points for a third time in a row to slip to fifth place in the standings.

Coach Sanjoy Sen has been in the line of fire and the latest draw did not go well at their home ground as supporters demanded his sacking shouting 'go back' slogans.

"It's natural. To draw thrice in a row is more shameful than a defeat. But we have no excuse," Sen said.

Sony watson pic.twitter.com/eGzOibIupi

— আমাদের রঙ সবুজ মেরুন (@JoyMohun) January 1, 2018

The Mariners have been plagued with injury woes after their big Churchill win at the artificial Barasat turf.

Star Haitian Sony Norde is yet to recover from a knee injury, while Japanese midfielder Yuta Kinowaki has been ruled out after dislocating his collarbone.

Mohun Bagan fans would hope that Norde recovers to rescue the team's fortunes but Sen said they must not be over dependent on the Haitian who's likely to sit out again.

"We cannot be over-reliant on Sony. Sony-less Mohun Bagan have to learn to win. We have to get back among goals. In the last few matches, I have felt the boys have been under pressure after conceding," he said.

"Our players have missed from handshaking distance which is poor. We have been trying hard at practice and players have shot in front of empty net also to get back confidence," Sen said.

East Bengal had defeated Chennai 1-2 at the latter's home venue in the last round and the Sen-coached side would see this as their last chance to return to winning ways.

Chennai have a solitary win and lost four times to be placed eighth on the table.

Chennai City too are guilty of letting in soft goals and that is one aspect they will certainly look to improve upon against Mohun Bagan.

Terming it one of the "greatest challenges", Chennai coach Soundrarajan said: "We are happy to play against Mohun Bagan in their own ground.

"They are 100 years old, we are two years old. So it's a great opportunity. The spectators will be the biggest challenge as they are huge. We will take up the challenge."

Chennai's defence will also get a big boost with the inclusion of a fit-again Kyrgyzstani defender Venyamin Shumeyko.

Mohun Bagan vs Chennai City FC

I-League

Live on Star Sports 2 and Hotstar

At 5.30 pm