EB bank on some practice

CALCUTTA, FEB 10: East Bengal will probably treat their Group B National Football League match against Indian Bank tomorrow as a practice game. The match was earlier scheduled for Friday, but was advanced by a day owing to the call for a state-wide bandh. Indian Bank are already in the city to play their penultimate match.

The side from Chennai are currently in the bottom half and are unlikely to qualify for the Super Six stage. East Bengal are strongly placed with 20 points from eight matches and will want to increase their points. With a superior line-up, they are favourites to win. Indian Bank have seven points from eight matches.

The bank will have to start with Sebastian Netto at the goal as Felix Edward is out after receiving the marching order with two bookings in the previous match against Mahindras. The side was a striker less against Mahindras with Selva Kumar having to don the gloves after Felix left. Tomorrow, he should be up ahead, assisting Syed Shabir Pasha.

East Bengal played an organised game against Indian Telephone Industry in their last game here. Bhaichung Bhutia, Raman Vijayan, Emmanuel Opoku and Falguni Dutta had an excellent match and even though Vijayan missed scoring opportunities, he troubled the ITI defence throughout.