Mohun Bagan take on Mumbai FC in grudge match

MUMBAI: Kolkata's glamour outfit and Federation Cup winners Mohun Bagan AC would clash with Mumbai FC at the Cooperage ground on Friday in what's perceived as a revenge I-League encounter for the visiting team.
Star-studded Mohun Bagan, with India captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Brazilian poacher Jose Ramirez Barreto in their ranks, are eager to avenge the 1-2 shock defeat suffered at home early in the season against the David Booth-coached outfit.
However, it is not going to be an easy task to take full points from the promoted side for Mohun Bagan as shown by the 0-3 loss suffered by another Kolkata side, Mohammedan Sporting, against Mumbai FC here on January 20.
Mohun Bagan, who beat defending league champions Dempo of Goa 1-0 to lift the Federation Cup on December 21, have had a long rest to recover from weariness and injuries.
Mohun Bagan, second on the league table with 21 points - four behind leaders Sporting Clube de Goa - have the advantage of a near full-strength side to fall back upon and avenge their previous loss to Mumbai FC, fourth in the league with 19 points.
The visiting side's Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa is happy that barring central midfielder Rakesh Masih - out with two yellow cards - and injured frontliner Kartik Kisku, he has all the others to call upon to deliver the goods in the 12th round encounter.
Welcoming the three-week break, Bencherifa said today that unlike the earlier clash between the two teams on September 27, his side now was in a better condition physically.