Fed Cup semi-finals vs Bagan
KOLKATA: Thirteen times Federation Cup champions Mohun Bagan, who have been in rampant form of late, will take on a spirited Shillong Lajong side in the first leg of the semi-final at the Barasat Stadium here on Sunday. While Mohun Bagan ran 7-2 aggregate winners over Salgaocar in the quarter-finals, Lajong needed extra time to book their berth, winning 4-3 on aggregate against another Kolkata outfit East Bengal. The return of star winger Sony Norde has certainly given a new dimension to the hosts, who cruised to a thumping victory in their last round at home. The Haitian is expected to line up alongside Katsumi Yusa on either wings as the city giants look to keep their winning momentum intact. “The Federation Cup semi-final is obviously a big match. We will obviously play to win. I don’t think there is much of a difference between home and away,” Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen said on Saturday. “Shillong Lajong are a very good side. They got past East Bengal twice and that it itself is a great achievement. We have to be careful since they possess the necessary players to hurt our chances,” he added. Shillong Lajong FC booked a semi-final berth winning against East Bengal in a dramatic fashion with an aggregate scoreline of 4:3. The first leg between the two sides was played in Shillong and the home team registered a 2-1 win with goals from Chinglensana Singh and Fabio Penna Henriue while Do Dong Hyun managed one for East Bengal. The second leg was extended to extra time as both teams were locked at 2:2 on aggregate in normal time. It was Uilliams Souza who sealed the deal for Lajong, as he netted a Penn Orji cross in the 114th minute of the game taking the final score line to 2-2 and winning 4:3 on aggregate. Lajong coach Thangboi Singto meanwhile praised his team’s grit and determination, as they never gave up even after going 2-1 down against East Bengal and fought back to tie the match and progress to the last four. “East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are two of the oldest and biggest clubs in India. Every coach and player wants to do well while facing them. As an opponent we have the same respect for them and take motivation from the fact that we have done reasonable well against them,” Singto said. “Mohun Bagan’s biggest threat stays their attacking line-up. Glen, Jeje, Norde and Yusa can tear apart any defence. Apart from that they also have Indian national team players in their ranks — Pritam (Kotal), Pranoy (Halder), Lenny (Rodrigues) amongst others. They are good in all departments. But we have done well against them and will work hard,” he added. Uilliams Souza will look to start upfront with Fabio Pena with Penn Orji operating from behind the two front men in a roving role. It will be up to young Nim Dorjee Tamang once again to marshal his defence against the dangerous Bagan attackers. Robin Gurung will be back in the side while Boithang Haokip will look to reprise his role after a stupendous display against East Bengal. With the second leg in their own backyard, slated for May 14, Singto said it is important to score an away goal while looking to win the first leg itself. Both teams will look to make the most from the first leg encounter and add the extra advantage to their side before they move to Shillong for the second leg of the semi- finals. As Mohun Bagan were unable to retain the ILeague title, they will be very eager to clinch the Federation Cup title so that they can still compete in the AFC Cup next season. Shillong Lajong FC stands in their way, who themselves are hoping to perform better in the Cup Competition after being placed 6th in the concluded I-League. The match promises to be an exciting one as both teams will fight hard to advance to the final of the Federation Cup 2016.