M-Bagan and E-Bengal fight their last battle in Sahara's 1st leg

Kolkata, Aug 4 (UNI) Mohun Bagan will take on arch rival East Bengal with a two point lead as the two soccer giants complete their last crucial match in the first leg of Sahara Premier Leauge engagement at Yuba Bharati Krinangan tomorrow.

East Bengal coach Monoranjan Bhattacharjee has few choices before the derby soccer as five of his players were in India camp, while the nagging groin injury of Alvito d Cunha was also causing him much worry in the striking line against Mohun Bagan.

Doubtful starters are also defender M Suresh and frontliners Edmilson Marques, a Brazilian, and Dharamjit Singh because their fitness level was not up to mark as far as practice sessions are concerned.

He goes to YBK with a mind that a defeat would not only cost the club's prestigious battle but also the side would fall behind another challenger Mohammedan Sporting, whose 13 points from six matches are matching with the green and maroon.

Md Sporting, who last won the League in 1981, are looking dangerous in the run for trophy and had already defeated both MB and EB and have relatively an easy task in their last encounter in the first leg against a weak side - United Sports Club this week.

Coach Karim Bencherifa is relatively a happy man before he goes to YBK by virtue of Mohun Bagan's pole position on goal average.

He rated tomorrow's match a crucial one for Mohun Bagan to hold on to the position. He said he was not banking on any individual charisma but on overall team effort.

Both coaches have not come out with the first eleven and said they needed huge consultation before the match.

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