KOLKATA: East Bengal will look to overcome the fatigue factor as they resume their campaign in the top tier I-League against Air India here on Saturday.
If the Airmen can pull off an upset and win the match, they will overtake Shillong Lajong FC in the points table.
Lajong are currently 11th with 19 points, one ahead of Air India, who have played one less game.
SLFC will play Pune FC on Sunday.
Having played 15 matches in the last 47 days at home and abroad, East Bengal looked jaded against Prayag United to go down in the IFA Shield final earlier in the week.
The one-and-a-half month long breather in the I-League did not really help the red-and-gold brigade as they were forced to play the local league, IFA Shield, besides in the continental AFC Cup when other teams were resting.
But with six more rounds left in the I-League, time is running out for the last two seasons’ runners-up, who are are now placed behind leaders Churchill Brothers in the table.
“The fatigue factor has become a major worry as the team played frequently in the last couple of months,” coach Trevor Morgan said.
“We have to win at least five out of the six matches in order to have a go at the title,” Morgan said.
The Englishman sounded positive as they are to play five of the six matches at home.
“We have no big injury worries and hope that the boys play true to their potential,” he said.
Morgan has a reason to be optimistic as his team has maintained good rhythm having won three, drawn one and lost one in the last five rounds.
Nigerian Uga Okpara, East Bengal’s defensive mainstay, did not attend the team practice because of a stomach ailment.
The coach said he would take the final call on Saturday morning.
The other foreigners including Edeh Chidi, who had a hamstring pull and played as a substitute in the Shield final, are available for selection.
Air India, who lost 0-3 in the first leg, face an uphill task having lost three in the last five outings.
Former International Naushad Moosa, who is the new Air India coach, said it would be a big task taking on East Bengal at home.
In other matches, United Sikkim will host Prayag United, ONGC will play Churchill Brothers in New Delhi and Mumbai FC play away to Salgaocar. (PTI)
