CALCUTTA (India): Former champions Mohun Bagan will want to maintain their form when they host Indian Arrows at the Kalyani Stadium in I-League match on Thursday.
The match is scheduled for a tea-time kick-off at 5 pm.
With three successive wins, Bagan have turned their fortunes around after a mellow start to the season which comprised of a draw at Aizawl and a 2-4 loss at home to Churchill Brothers.
The 2-0 victory against Real Kashmir served as a true testament to their title-challenging credentials.
Bagan have also been reinvigorated by the presence of Fran Gonzales at the heart of their midfield, as the Spaniard leads the I-League goal scoring charts.
Every player is important in my squad, says Bagan coach
His movement, both on and off the ball, has allowed compatriot Joseba Beitia with more space going forward, to exhibit his flair, as was evident in the last match against Kashmir.
Kibu Vicuna, Head Coach, Mohun Bagan told AIFF website, “Fran is an important player for us. His role in the team is very essential. But the most important player in the team is the team itself. Every player is important in my squad.”
Reflecting on their opponents, he added, “Arrows are a very competitive team. A young squad with hunger and talented players. If we want to get the three points, we will need to show more desire and fight.”
The Arrows, on the other hand, have enjoyed a decent spell going into 2020, when they shocked Churchill Brothers for their first win of the season in a thoroughly impressive display, which they followed up with a 1-1 draw against NEROCA.
Shanmugam Venkatesh, Head Coach, Indian Arrows said, “The football is all about hard work and belief. What you have to understand is that most of these boys in this Arrows batch have only played at the junior level before.
“They have now started to grasp what it takes to play at the senior level, and the results have started to follow. They now have the belief that they can do it against the senior players as well. That’s what has changed.
