Thai recruit to take bow for Mohun Bagan

The Bagan coach, himself a renowned defender in the ’70s and ’80s, indicated the Thai would be used as a left-back.Mahindras coach SS Hakim said his first target would be to glean one point. “This is our first away match. So we will ensure that we do not lose,” he said. Describing Bagan as a “very balanced and star-studded side”, Hakim said the green and maroon brigade would also enjoy homeadvantage.

SBT looking to bounce back
Thiruvananthapuram:“We cannot afford to underestimate them,” said Amal Dutta, coach of Tollygunge Agragami, on the eve of their NFL match against State Bank of Travancore. “We cannot overrate them either,” he added with a sarcastic smile.“It was quite unlucky to be denied a win in the match against FC Kochin,” said Dutta.

“In fact we scored two goals in the match one in favour of us, and the other against us,” he joked referring to the own goal conceded by his side in the Kochi match.The SBT coach NM Najeeb, meanwhile, warned that it would be a mistake to write his team off on the basis of its performance against Salgaocar. “My boys have yet to find their real form,” he said.

“Najeeb was all praise for his deep defence manned by the seasoned Jiju Jacob, who had a fine outing against Salgaocar, despite injury problems. SBT, however, have yet to show they can dominate the proceedings for long spells. For some reason they could not come to gripwith the Goans in the midfield. This allowed both Jules Alberto and Gbenga Lawal setting up attack without much hindrance in the last match.

Sunday’s NFL matches
JCT vs Dempo at Ludhiana
SBT vs Tollygunge at ThiruvanananthpuramMohun Bagan vs Mahindras at Calcutta