CALCUTTA (India): Mohammedan Sporting will look forward to regain the Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup they won in 2016 when the Calcutta side face Sikkim Himalayan FC in the final in Gangtok on Tuesday.
“We are not favourites. Both teams have the equal chance of winning the competition,” said Mohammedan coach Saheed Ramon.
The Nigerian said the final will be an open contest despite exhibiting an output which has clearly put them above their opponents in the final.
“We are up against a very good side. They are also going to be as determined as we are. We have to play well,” added Ramon.
Sikkim Himalayan, formerly known as Gangtok Himalayan, enjoys a better head-to-head record against their opponents.
In fact, Mohammedan has never beaten them at Paljor Stadium when they clashed in the 2nd Division League.
But Ramon doesn’t want to talk about past.
“This is a knockout tournament. Every game is like a final. It will be same against Sikkim Himalayan. We will put in our best. The team with a strong mental frame will dominate,” he added.
Sikkim Himalayan are the only second club from the state to reach the final after GMC Gangtok at the inaugural edition in 1979.
“The final is about small details. There’s stress and pressure. It’ll be premature to say how we would approach, but I can say it’ll be an interesting final,” said Mohammedan Sporting technical director Dipendu Biswas.
The Black Panthers have struggled to convert, and Biswas hoped the likes of Charles Atcha and Sarra Camara will be more clinical on the morrow.
