East Bengal look to overcome the blues as normalcy returns to the ISL.
East Bengal, led by former India coach Stephen Constantine, will try to start their campaign on a strong note when they face last season’s runners-up Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League opener here on Friday.
After two closed-door seasons in Goa because to the COVID-19 outbreak, the ISL will resume its customary home-and-away schedule, with spectators returning to the stadiums.
There is no promotion or relegation yet, however the top two teams in the league will advance directly to the semi-finals in the ninth season, with the other two slots determined by a single-leg playoff between the third and sixth-placed teams.
On paper, the three-time finalists and the home team, despite losing important forwards Alvaro Vasquez (FC Goa) and Jorge Pereyra Diaz (Mumbai City), appear to be far stronger than the century-old Kolkata club, which is still in its infancy in the franchise-based competition.
All eyes would be on local youngster and India player Sahal Abdul Samad, who will attempt to press for early goals.
The yellow brigade, led by Ivan Vukomanovic, will hope that new acquisitions Giannou, Diamantakos, and Victor Mongil are up to the challenge. Their primary goal would be to establish a balance.
East Bengal will attempt to overcome their disappointments from the previous two seasons, when they finished ninth and eleventh.
“This will be a big test for us. But that’s what we all want: to be tested every week and every game. We’re steadily getting there. One thing I will promise. “We will give our fans a good account of ourselves,” stated Constantine, East Bengal’s new head coach.
Constantine has brought in some familiar figures from Indian football in Cleiton Si.
Arindam Bhattacharja, Hira Mondal, and Lalrinliana Hnamte are among the few renowned Indian players who have left, although the Indian contingent is still strong this season.
Kamaljit Singh demonstrated his goalkeeping prowess in the recent Durand Cup, and players such as Jerry Lalrinzuala, Mohamad Rakip, Sarthak Golui, Pritam Singh, and Lalchungnunga will provide defensive stability.
The essential point is that, unlike the previous two outings, the team has been able to train together for an extended period of time, and they will seek to give a strong account of themselves under Constantine’s defensive organisation.
