Unbeaten Bengaluru lock horns against strong Mohun B. in the Monday encounter of the Indian Football League 2020-21. Both sides have won its previous match and stand at playoff positions.
Match Timings: Dec 21, 7:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Fatorda will witness a classic game in Indian Football League when two in-form sides, Bengaluru and Mohun B., will play each other in match week eight. Mohun B. have lost just one game and ran out winners four times in six matches, while Bengaluru got its momentum back following a series of draws, earning 12 points from six matches.
The Mariners are three points behind league-leaders Mumbai, and if they win here, they will equalise to Sergio Lobero’s side in the points table. In the previous game, they snatched all three points against the Gaurs. The hosts were denied a penalty for McHugh's tackle on Ortiz, and unfortunately, Mariners got a penalty for an apparent foul by Aiban on Roy Krishna. The Fijian striker made no mistake and scored a goal. Gaurs fought hard but couldn’t break the deadlock of Mohun B. Javier Hernandez, and Michael Soosairaj are the absentee for the Mariners. The Spaniard might be recalled after few matches, but Soosairaj’s injury is serious, and he has been ruled out of the entire season.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru defeated Odisha in the previous week, and due to the Northeast’s loss to Jamshedpur, they now occupy the third spot in the table. Blues dominated the game starting from the first half. In the 21st minute, they had a clear chance to take an early lead with three shots on target, but Taylor defended all. After 9 minutes, the skipper struck for the Blues with a brilliant cross from Harmanjot Khabra. Odisha equalised in the 71st minute with a fine goal from Steven Taylor.
After the goals from both sides’ captains, the match was heading towards a draw. Deshron Brown provided a good assist to Cleiton Silva, and the Brazilian scored a late winner. Bengaluru faced Habas’ men 8 times in Indian Football League, and the Blues emerged victorious on 5 occasions. In I-League, Mohun B. played Bengaluru on 10 occasions, and the Mariners have won 5. The win can boost Blues in the table and they will close its difference to leaders Mumbai.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Mohun B.
Arindam Bhattacharya; Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Pritam Kotal, Tiri, Jayesh Rane, Pronay Halder, Carl McHugh, Manvir Singh, David Williams, Roy Krishna
Current Form: W D L D D
Previous match: 1-0 victory over Goa
Bengaluru
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Pratik Chaudhari, Juanan, Erik Paartalu, Harmanjot Khabra, Dimas Delgado, Cleiton Silva, Suresh Wangjam, Francisco Gonzalez, Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh
Current Form: W W D W D
Previous match: 2-1 victory over Odisha
Key Players
Bengaluru
Sunil Chhetri
3 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Cleiton Silva
3 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Mohun B
Roy Krishna
5 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Manvir Singh
2 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
