Defence may dominate

Bagan are currently at the top of the League table while East Bengal is at joint third. The standings, impressive by any standard, should serve to draw crowds, even though the two sides have met quite often in this season and there will not be anything new in their approaches. However,the fans of the two club rarely fill the stands expecting a new style. All they want is their team to win. Tomorrow should be no different.

A lot more than just points are at stake when the two traditional rivals face each other. Pride is at stake. Understandably, the tension on the field infects the stands, or perhaps it is the other way round. The players have always admitted that such a match is entirely a different ball game. Rarely are fireworks seen in a Bagan-East Bengal clash as the sides put on their defensive armour. Tomorrow also, defence might well dominate the 90 minutes under the floodlights. Another interesting fact is that it will be the first match between the two teams after their managements have agreed to go into pacts with the UB Group. For the sides who have divergent views on almost everything under the sun, the common string at the management level should be a delightful change. Of course, it might be too much to expect this knowledge to transform into a bonhomie in the stands.

Itwill be the same faces on the field tomorrow. Bhutia for East Bengal and Okerie for Bagan will be the main men. Both should adopt the 4-4-2 combination, and knowing Bagan coach TK Chathunni’s preference for defence, the red-maroon team might well pack their half in their attempt to plug the gaps.