CFL 2019: Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal – TV channel, stream, kick-off time & match preview
In a Kolkata derby first, both sides will be coached by Spaniards with eyes on regaining lost ground early in the season…
Mohun Bagan will take on East Bengal in the much-anticipated Kolkata derby clash of the 2019 Calcutta Football League (CFL) Premier Division ‘A’ at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata on Sunday.
| Game | Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal |
| Date | Sunday, September 1 |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST |
TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM
The Sadhna News Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the CFL.
TEAM NEWS
MOHUN BAGAN:
Injured – None
Doubtful – Francisco Gonzalez
Suspended – None
Key Players – Joseba Beitia, Salva Chamorro
EAST BENGAL:
Injured – Abhijit Sarkar
Doubtful – None
Suspended – None
Key Players – Jaime Santos, Bidyasagar Singh
GAME PREVIEW
The start to the 2019-20 campaign for each side has been tumultuous but the 368th Kolkata derby presents no better chance for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to get their season back on track.
Mohun Bagan, the defending champions of the Calcutta Football League (CFL), have succumbed to a mid-table mediocrity after the first three rounds. A win, a draw and a defeat each see them placed seventh on the table with four points.
The Spanish transition for the Green and Maroons has not been smooth sailing as Antonio ‘Kibu’ Vicuna has been unable to concoct his best XI thanks to lack of fitness among squad members and injuries. A leaky defence has seen them ship in five goals in three games. With a chop and change in the centre-back pairing and the goalkeeper, Bagan are yet to find a solid combination.
In some good news, Lalramchullova looks set for a comeback. Joseba Beitia’s midfied magic has also helped Bagan string in dominating performance sporadically but the partnership of Salva Chamorro and VP Suhair becomes increasingly vital in attack.
Their travails in the Durand Cup saw silverware being snatched from under their jaws in the final. With the cup competition bygone, the Mariners can now look to concentrate solely in defending the regional title.
East Bengal are marginally in a comfortable position; six points in their kitty see them fourth on the table, still four points behind leaders Bhowanipore who have ten, having played the extra game. Alejandro Menendez comes up against his compatriot looking to keep his spotless derby record intact.
However, in his first CFL derby, stakes are much higher than before. Vicuna almost led his side to silverware in his first competition as Bagan manager. Menendez’s troops faltered in the Durand Cup semi-final, leaving the former Real Madrid Castilla manager without anything to show for in his one year in India.
The Red and Golds have only conceded two goals, three lesser than Bagan but their saving grace has been their attack. With Jaime Santos providing fireworks consistently and with the emergence of Bidyasagar Singh, scoring goals is less of a headache for Menendez.
With the contest coming early into the CFL season, wins for neither team sees them get a hold at the summit of the table but it is all about the bragging rights, isn’t it?
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