East Bengal to play against Chirag United minus Tolgay

Kolkata, Jan 13 (PTI) With star striker Tolgay Ozbeyruled out due to double bookings, in-form East Bengal willhave a task on hand when they take on city rivals ChiragUnited in a ninth round I-League match at the Yuba BharatiKrirangan here tomorrow.

The mercurial Australian forward, who is joint secondwith seven goals to his credit, was shown a yellow card, hissecond in successive games, in their win over Pune FC in theprevious match.

East Bengal''s new attack will definitely miss the stinggiving an edge to Chirag United, fresh from their winover Mohun Bagan in the last round.

Coach Trevor James Morgan will have his task cut-out ashe seek to motivate his new-look forward line-up that will seethe inclusion of Biswarup Deb in place of Ozbey, while Delhilad Robin Singh will also look to rise to occasion.

"Don''t forget football is a team game. Of course wewill miss somebody who gets the goals. We have a toughopponents in Chirag United but that does not mean we cannotearn full points. I''ve full confidence on my side," Morgantold reporters.

Chirag United, too, will miss Elijah Junior who is yet torecover from an injury, and Joshimar D''Silva will lead theattack with the likes of Mohammad Rafique and Branco Cardozo.

Having stunned Mohun Bagan in their last match, it willbe a real test for Chirag United to get past the strong EastBengal defence who have conceded just two goals from eightmatches so far in the league.

They also have another injury worry in star goalkeeperAbhijit Mondal, who had an impressive outing against MohunBagan.

"We have to be really watchful against East Bengal, weare yet to be beaten by them, but tomorrow will be anothergame. We have to be focused to get a point," Chirag Unitedcoach Sanjoy Sen, who is in-charge with Subrata Bhattacharyaindisposed, said.

The Federation Cup and the Calcutta League champions,East Bengal, with 22 points, are in a commanding position,while Chirag United lie on fifth spot with 13points.