Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s head coach Jose Molina refuted claims that arch-rival East Bengal will be at a disadvantage without midfielder Mohammed Rashid in their upcoming Kolkata derby, maintaining that both sides will be on level terms at kick-off.
Bagan and East Bengal will play in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Durand Cup after two years — their previous fixture in 2024 was abandoned due to a lack of security — but the Red-and-Gold Brigade had its key midfielder, Rashid, return home after his father passed away, days before the match.
“They have no Rashid, but how is that a problem? Don’t they have more players or other foreigners? They will have five foreigners, right? We will have five too. How is that an advantage for us?” Molina told reporters a day before the match.
Molina, who joined Mohun Bagan last season, has two ISL titles and an ISL Cup, over two stints in Indian football, but is looking to win his first Durand Cup title as head coach
“It’s not a problem. We know where we are, and we understand the expectations of the people. We are going to give them our best,” he added.
Both Kolkata giants, the two most successful teams in the Durand Cup, entered the final eight after topping their groups, and will lock horns at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday.
Molina also mentioned that Bagan’s striker Muhammad Suhail is set to return to the matchday squad after recovering from an injury that had kept him out of the last group-stage match, against Diamond Harbour FC, last week.
“Suhail recovered in the last two days. He is already training with the group and will be available for (selection) tomorrow,” Molina said.
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However, the team will miss out on its captain, Subhasish Bose and winger Manvir Singh, two key members of the side that won the ISL League and Cup last season.
“Manvir, Kiyan (Nassiri) and Subhasish are still out of the team — no training, no time to recover,” added Molina, explaining the need to have the first team ready in time for the AFC Champions League 2.
“It’s important to have more matches to prepare the team in the right way for the Champions League. You cannot expect to have easy matches there. Of course, it will be very difficult to play every match, but I’m confident that we can have a good campaign and hopefully qualify for the next stage,” Molina added.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com