Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kolkota: Newly-installed East Bengal coach Marcos Falopa is confident that his team are ready for the challenge of their AFC Cup showdown against Indonesian side Semen Padang despite their lack of competitive matches ahead of the first leg of the quarter-final encounter.
The 64-year-old Brazilian was brought in during the off-season to replace Englishman Trevor Morgan, who left the club in May after winning two I-League titles and two Federation Cups during his three-year spell with the Kolkota club.
Morgan signed off in the AFC Cup in style by leading the Indian club to a comprehensive 5-1 win over Myanmar’s Yangon United in the Round of 16 with Nigerian forward Chidi Edeh bagging a hat-trick.
But while he has some big boots to fill, the experienced Falopa is undaunted by the immediate task of leading his new team out against the tournament’s only unbeaten club at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium
“Although I have great regard for our opponents we will aim to make the most of playing at home and win with a good margin,” continued Falopa, who has had spells in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Oman and Myanmar (pictured) in a coaching career spanning four decades.
While Semen Padang are midway through their campaign in the Indonesian Premier League, East Bengal are just kicking off their new season in India. Falopa is reluctant though to use lack of match fitness as an excuse ahead of the game.
“It is a very important game for us and even though our season has just got underway we have played a number of practice matches to prepare ourselves,” he said.
“We know the importance of this game and will aim to win to enter the semi-final.”
East Bengal will be looking to remain perfect at home in this season’s competition after winning all four of their earlier games at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium.
Photo: AFP