16.05.2010-I-League Return Match-East Bengal vs. Mohun Bagan

Just before the I-League return match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, "Laal-Holud Biswa" representatives spoke to few persons related to Kolkata football  and collected their views. Here are those-

Shaif(Anchor-Khel @ XI)

This derby match has no significance and situation is dishonouring History. Both the teams are lowly placed, so the result will not make any difference to either of them. This football of Bengal is returning only frustration now. Undoubtedly Goa has gone much ahead keeping Bengal behind. We have learnt football from the English people and the Goans have learnt the same from the Brazilians. That's the main reason behind Goa's day by development leaving Bengal far behind.

Amit(Anchor-Khel @ XI)

In the last match we have played with 10 men, but Mohun Bagan couldn't win. We will definitely win on 16th May. In this season we didn't have much success except winning the Federation Cup. I heard that Yakubu will not play in the derby. But we badly need the win in this match. I have faith on Ridder and Ridder should play a vital role in this match. My eyes will be specially on Sanju Pradhan on this match.

Moutan(Reporter-Khel @ XI)

East Bengal-Mohun Bagan derby is always unpredictable. It's always 50-50. But I am afraid of the no. of supporters, who will witness the match. I always want a huge no. of viewers of this match. And regarding the unfavourable galley-atmosphere for the ladies, I can tell, no one can stop the ill-happenings, untill and unless the persons who are creating these change themselves. 

Prasun Banerjee(Ex-Indian Football Captain)

This is a tough match. There is no doubt in it. Neither of the teams has any any chance of winning I-League but the war of "Bangal-Ghoti" always picks this match in a high tempo. As long as "Bengalis" will survive, Rabindranth Tagore will survive and the war of "Bangal-Ghoti" in the form of "East Bengal-Mohun Bagan" will also survive. This match is going to be a fifty-fifty match, though East Bengal are ahead of Mohun Bagan in a 60:40 ratio. Neither of the teams will want to be defeated so I think a draw is the probable outcome of the match.

But I am sorry to say that Baichung has not returned East Bengal properly. East Bengal officials have honoured Baichung so much and while bringing him back in East Bengal when Mohun Bagan have suspended him and misbehaved with him.  But what Baichung has given to the club in return? I again apologise to the supporters and say, I am not satisfied with the contribution of Baichung in this year. Rather I am confused with his commitment.  But he is like my younger brother. I was the captain of the Indian football Team 20 years ago. So if Baichung gifts  an excellent game on 16th., I shall be very much happy and won't hesitate to praise him.
If I have to name the players on whom my eyes will be, they will be Barreto of Mohun Bagan and Yakubu and Budhiram Tudu of East Bengal.
And another thing, I must mention here. The SMS service "Laal-Holud Biswa" is providing to the ex-footballers is simply marvelllous. My thanks and wishes are ever with you. I shall  write about your work and also sit with you very soon.

Tushar Rakshit(Asst. Coach-East Bengal Club)

I don't know about the formation Ridder will select. So it is difficult for separately mentioning the name of a single player or two. Though I have a special expectation from Sanju Pradhan. What should I tell about Baichung? He has been injured so many times.. and again and again he is returning. I think Bichung will select this match as showing his performance. Overall performance of East Bengal in this season is not good. So I think, everybody will try to play well in this match and that will be the motivation you are talking about.

 Srikanta Dutta(Ex-East Bengal Footballer & member of the East Bengal team which won the national league first time)

East Bengal are passing through a very bad time. East Bengal will definitely win this match. I don't think the players are  responsible for the failure of East Bengal in this season. I don't think there is any lack of commitment from the part of the players. There are few other reasons behind the unsuccess of East Bengal . I don't think, Mr. Ridder is a proper person for guiding East Bengal. Rising footballers are not handled by him properly.  I think Budhiram should be included in the first team rather than fielding him as a substitue. The spirit of the players of East Bengal will help them exhibiting an  brilliant show.

Off the topic, I say, You people tell the club to go for Stephen Dias, for the next season.

And to mention about your work, it's excellent. I am getting the news of the matches from your SMS even when I am not within West Bengal. Thanks a lot.

 Ashoke Chanda(Ex-East Bengal Footballer & Secretary, JEFA)

I am 100% sure about the victory of East Bengal in this match. I think Baichung will exhibit an extra-ordinary dispaly in that match. In fact, Baichung will have to play a extra-ordinary game for his own sake as he is a professional. I think Sanju Pradhan will play well in this match.
And my special request to the goal-keeper of East Bengal. Be it Abhra or Priyant or Gurpreet, my request to him is, be involved with the game absolutely and try to keep the honour of the jersey of East Bengal.
And I shall talk to Surajitda and Mona(Manoranjan) about your SMS service. Laal-Holud Biswa will have to go ahead  in the path in which it is moving. 

Manomoy(Singer)

I want to see East Bengal emerging as the victorious in this match and I feel that East Bengal will win. Baichung couldn't give us much service in this season, so I shall be very much happy if we(East Bengal) win by the goal of Baichung.  I shall be also eager to see the performance of Sanju Pradhan. I am not feeling Ridder's coaching bad. I have witnessed few matches of East Bengal under the coaching of Ridder where the team didn't perform badly. Players of the East Bengal team will try to perform well to make themseleves worthy for the next season.
Tomorrow morning I shall leave for Bangalore. So I won't be able to witness the match. I hope, I will get your SMS-s timely. 
I wish day-by-day increase of the supporters of "Laal-Holud" and members of "Laal-Holud Biswa".

Kunal Ghosh(Journalist, Kick-off, Football Magazine of IFA)

According to sports-science, footballers shouldn't have any motivation in this match. But as this match is an end-of-season match, footballers will try their best to keep themselves costly for the next season. So far, much money have been spent behind Baichung but he couldn't return much in exchange. So Baichung will give his best effort tomorrow. Baichung will run, he will jump, he will go all out for even a 40-60 ball. We have heard that, East Bengal will not retain Yakubu for the next season. So if Yakubu plays, he will provide his best effort to prove himself worthy. In fact, I think, the whole East Bengal team will exhibit a spirited football. I am keeping East Bengal ahead of Mohun Bagan in this match. In fact, in this match East Bengal are ahead of Mohun Bagan psychologically. Barreto and Chidi, both will give their best efforts to wipe out talks against them.  I am waiting to see the performances of Baichung, Yakubu and Sanju from the side of East Bengal.
Coach-factor will influence the outcome of this match.