Mohun Bagan and their bad luck with the national team’s fixtures haven’t improved. During the Igor Stimac era, both Sahal Abdul Samad and Ashique Kuruniyan were sidelined for lengthy periods after sustaining injuries in the national team camp. This time around, it just got a bit worse, as six footballers from the Green and Maroon Brigade side joined the Blue Tigers camp in Shillong for the crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Bangladesh.
Manvir Singh returned before India’s friendly against the Maldives on March 19, after picking up a waist injury, while Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia), the player of the match against Bangladesh, sustained a right-leg injury, and began his rehabilitation upon joining the Mohun Bagan camp in Kolkata.
Although their semifinal opponent is yet to be determined, with the winners of the Knockout 2 clash between North East United and Jamshedpur FC set to face the Mariners in a two-legged semifinal, Mohun Bagan’s focus remains clear.
Having already secured the prestigious ISL Shield, they are now setting their sights on the ISL Cup to complete a historic double. After a record-breaking season, with the most clean sheets and the highest points tally, Mohun Bagan’s hunger for the cup is evident. They resumed preparations 15 days before the semifinal, reflecting their determination. However, injuries to key players are a significant concern.
Both Manvir and Apuia are integral members of Mohun Bagan’s starting XI, and doubts over their availability will worry head coach Jose Molina ahead of the first leg on April 3. Manvir showed signs of progress during Thursday’s training session, briefly joining the main team before returning to the sidelines for rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Apuia reported directly to the Mohun Bagan camp from Shillong to consult with the team physiotherapist and assess the extent of his injury. While an MRI scan has been performed, the severity remains uncertain, leaving the Mizoram midfielder’s participation in doubt.
Apuia’s absence would be a significant blow, considering his exceptional performance against Bangladesh, where he held his own against Sheffield United midfielder (on loan from Leicester City) Hamza Choudhury. If he is unavailable, Molina may rely on Deepak Tangri or Abhishek Suryavanshi to fill the gap. Whether they can step up remains to be seen.
As for Manvir, further clarity on his fitness is expected in Saturday’s training session, following a rest day on Friday. If he remains unavailable, his absence will create a major void. Molina’s alternatives include Sahal Abdul Samad, who has only recently recovered from injury, and young prodigy Suhail Bhat, who lacks big-game experience.
Mohun Bagan remains the firm favourite to clinch the ISL Cup after their dominant group stage campaign. However, their semifinal opponent could present a challenge. It could be Pedro Benali’s North East United, who denied Mohun Bagan the Durand Cup, but were defeated in both encounters of the ISL.. Alternatively, it could be Khalid Jamil’s Jamshedpur FC; a side capable of springing surprises.
Another key focus in the semifinal will be on Mohun Bagan’s goalkeeper, Vishal Kaith. His performance against Bangladesh was far from his best, with several nervy moments that could have led to goals.
For Latest Sports News Click Here
Despite escaping unscathed, it was a shaky outing in his first high-stakes national team appearance. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who was dropped from the national team, added to the narrative with a cryptic post after the match. All eyes will be on Kaith to see how he bounces back and proves his mettle in the upcoming fixtures.
Also Read: Astute and Impactful: Hamza Choudhury’s Commanding Debut