Desperate Mohun Bagan looks to go all out against Gokulam

There may be five matches left but a strange scheduling means Mohun Bagan will face the Kerala outfit twice in less than a month as the Shankarlal Chakraborty-coached side will want to go for the kill against the I-League debutant.

Published : Feb 11, 2018 19:30 IST , Kolkata

Mohun Bagan players in training ahead of their clash against Gokulam Kerala.
Mohun Bagan players in training ahead of their clash against Gokulam Kerala.
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Mohun Bagan players in training ahead of their clash against Gokulam Kerala.

Former champion Mohun Bagan will be keen to revive its diminishing title aspiration when it faces laggard Gokulam Kerala FC in its last I-League home fixture here on Monday.

There may be five matches left but a strange scheduling means Mohun Bagan will face the Kerala outfit twice in less than a month as the Shankarlal Chakraborty-coached side will want to go for the kill against the debutant.

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With three wins from 12 matches, Gokulam (10 points) lie at the bottom of the table, while Mohun Bagan is placed fourth with 21 points, still eight short of leader Minerva Punjab.

Mohun Bagan dropped points at Chennai City in its last outing and knowing well that it has a mountain to climb, Chakraborty on Sunday said his side will have to win all its matches to give it a chance to reclaim the title after three years.

“Chennai match is past now. This is our last home match and we want to win it. The win at home will boost our confidence and shall set the tone for the remaining of the matches,” the gaffer told reporters on the eve of the match.

“We have been playing quality football, creating chances.

I am sure that on Monday too we will continue doing the same way. We just need to follow the basics and play our natural game.”

Mohun Bagan custodian Shilton Paul, too, said the team is not dwelling on the past.

“Our focus on the remaining five matches. Our performance at home this season has not been good but that is past now.

Our only objective will be to secure three points,” Paul said.

Gokulam is also in the middle of a lean patch with just two wins from eight matches and its coach Bino George said it was a matter of pride for his wards to play against a team like Mohun Bagan.

“Mohun Bagan are a very strong side and to beat them at home will be an uphill task. These boys are for the first time playing in the I-League. It’s such a big tournament. Each match we are improving. We are looking forward to play against Mohun Bagan.”

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