East Bengal apprehensive

MARGAO, FEB 27: One wagers that tomorrow's Sunday crowd at the Nehru stadium will have plenty to applaud. A top Coca-Cola Super Six Natio...

MARGAO, FEB 27: One wagers that tomorrow8217;s Sunday crowd at the Nehru stadium will have plenty to applaud. A top Coca-Cola Super Six National Football League NFL match between Calcutta8217;s East Bengal and Goa8217;s Salgaocar should bring the competition well and truly alive. Not without glitches though. In East Bengal8217;s case, at least. Coach Manoranjan Bhattacharya openly states complacency has marred his team of super star performances. 8220;But I expect my boys to play seriously tomorrow,8221; Bhattacharya said.

East Bengal have had none too fluent displays in two matches. A 2-1 win over cellar side FC Kochin and a goalless draw against JCT. Bhattacharya believes, however, his team has now adjusted to the heat and humidity in Goa. They have also recovered from injury problems with half-back Renedy Singh fit and ready for tomorrow8217;s battle. Goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey is fine too, though Bibhas Ghosh may still keep goal.

Bhaichung Bhutia and Raman Vijayan will provide fire power up front, but Bhattacharya hopes hisstrikers put away early opportunities to script a fitting performance by the strongest team on paper in the NFL.

Emmanuel Opoku, the Ghanaian mid-fielder, disappointed in the last match against JCT. But never put anything beyond one of the leading foreigners in the League. India international Carlton Chapman, also in the mid-field, bolsters the defence as well. But Bhattacharya is still apprehensive while discerning Salgaocar8217;s fine team-work. 8220;Their mid-fielders hold the ball well, their defenders can move up to assist them,8221; praising Salgaocar8217;s medio Habib Abekundle8217;s adroit distribution.

And in Jude Odgah8217;s new role of withdrawn striker, Salgaocar have been able to piece together some attractive and dangerous moves. Coach Shabbir Ali glows in the sparkling of youth star Alvito D8217;Cunha. A setback: Defender DC Nathaniel, cut down by the eventually expelled K Noushad of FC Kochin, is a doubtful starter. The wing back did much to flummox FC Kochin8217;s defence on Wednesday. But Shabbir is confident of hisbench. He has long reposed faith in Augustine Rodrigues for that position. Another sub, Sabir Ali Mondal, came up trumps in the forward line and scored in the dying moments against Kochin.

Referee burgled: A burglary cost NFL referee in-charge S S Shetty Rs 6,000 in cash. The former FIFA referee woke up this morning to find his suitcase on the ledge of his hotel room.

Shetty was awake till 1.30 a.m., and left his balcony door open to allow for ventilation when he turned in. Another two rooms in the same were also burgled. Cash amounting to a few thousand rupees were reported missing.Besides cash, Shetty also lost two coveted FIFA T-shirts. The burglers were obviously soccer fans. But in football-crazy Goa that8217;s not much of a lead. Police are investigating the case.