East Bengal have edge in Kolkata derby

The Shillong and Kolkata derby matches will be the main focus of the 10th round of the Airtel ILeague which resumes this week after a small break due to India’s international matches.

Shillong Lajong met newly-promoted Rangdajied United for the first time and the All India Football Federation will hope that this rivalry will in years to come match that of East Bengal versus Mohun Bagan.

It is the first clash of the titans in Kolkata this season and so a capacity crowd of over 100,000 is expected to attend this match at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Security is tight to avoid a repeat of the stone-throwing incidents which led to the suspension of this match in the 6th I-League last year in December.

It is the 306th meeting between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in all tournaments and the 33rd in the National Football League/ILeague. In head to head clashes, East Bengal enjoy the edge. An East BengalMohun Bagan match is difficult to predict as it becomes an emotional and passionate match, often full of niggling fouls and tense incidents.

s are often decided by individual brilliance, defensive mistakes or utilisation of a set piece like a corner or free kick.

The Kolkata derby on Sunday assumes massive importance because it will be a baptism by fire of East Bengal’s newly appointed coach Armando Colaco. He joined the club earlier this week and is the third outstation coach to train this historic club. The others were Mohammed Hussain in 1966-67 and 1970 and Stanley Rosario who only lasted four months in 2008.

Armando is the most successful Indian coach, having won three I-League and two NFL titles with Dempo.

He became famous for making Dempo play possession football, with constant movement and rapid inter change of positions. It is doubtful if he can impose such a style of play on East Bengal with such just a few days of coaching.

It is also to be seen if he can cope with the pressure of thousands of demanding supporters and incessant media coverage, which was absent during his over 10year stint with Dempo in Goa.

His rival is the most successful foreign coach in India, Karim Bencharifa, who has won the I-league and Federation Cup with Salgaocar.

In the first I-League, in 2007-08, Karim was with Churchill Brothers and they finished joint first with Dempo. However Dempo, coached by Armando clinched the title on better goal difference. So the intense rivalry between Karim and Armando has shifted from Goa to Kolkata. It is uncertain what playing XI Armando will choose and he may opt for safety first tactics in his opening match with East Bengal.

However Bagan are greatly hampered by the absence of the suspended ace defender Celestine Echezona. Also their main striker Odafe Okolie is not yet fully fit and may only play a part of the match.

Bagan are struggling to score goals having netted just five in seven matches so far.