Kolkata: Yet to combine as a team that won the Federation Cup not so long ago, East Bengal will look to start it afresh when they face Pune FC in a second round I-League fixture here on Monday.
The fancied local outfit has drawn one and won the other with just one goal to their credit in the first two matches, both being away. But when the Trevor James Morgan's wards will play their first match at home on Monday, they will be keen to spring back into action, something their team is known for.
The last year's runners-up have dominated the proceedings in both their previous matches but it was just Mehtab Hossain all the way, something that translated in just one win.
Morgan would hope that the likes of Penn Orji and Edeh Chidi bring in life to the side if they would look to stop the winning momentum of Pune FC.
"We have four points from two matches. I think we are in a better position than we were (at this stage) last time... We just have to look for full points," Morgan said.
The Pune outfit has won both their first round matches and as the action resumes after a brief break it remains to be seen whether Derrick Pereira's wards keep their winning run intact. Match will mark the return of a fit-again Abhra Mondal under the bar to replace Amrinder Singh and the coach would hope his No. 1 goalkeeper to gain some confidence ahead before the tournament gets into midway stage.
Striker James Moga will also be back in place of Khanthang Paite, while veteran Shanmugam Venkatesh would have to sit out with injury as Arata Izumi would man the midfield. "They are an experienced side but we believe in ourselves and are up for the challenge... We hope for a good result, but need to tighten our defence," Pereira said.
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