Having learnt their lesson from the last game, East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil urged his team to protect the lead if they score early against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata derby on Sunday.
"(In the last match) We took the lead but this match is different. If we score early goals then we have to sit on it," Jamil told reporters on the eve of the marquee clash.
East Bengal frittered a two-goal cushion against reigning champions Aizawl FC who scored in the last minute to pull back two goals in the second half.
East Bengal were porous to say the least at the back and Jamil said they need to give their best against a strong team like Mohun Bagan to come out with three points.
"As a team and as an individual we give importance the same way. We will try our best as a team," Jamil said.
Mohun Bagan star forward Sony Norde said even if East Bengal are poor defensively against other teams, against Mohun Bagan they rise to the ocassion.
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"East Bengal's defence can be very bad against some other teams but against us they can become very good," said Norde, who was brilliant in Mohun Bagan's 1-1 draw against league leaders Minerva Punjab FC.
On the match gaining special importance and if there is extra pressure on him, Jamil said: "Both teams have experience. Both sides have quality players and their coach is good and have good foreigners. Both their defense and attack is strong. We have to be alert.
"We must complete the game. We cannot take them lightly. We have to control the things from the start to the end. You have to be patient and have a hold on mental and physical aspect."
Jamil coached Aizawl to an improbable title triumph last season before jumping ship to East Bengal.
Jamil got with him the likes of Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna and Brandon Vanlalremdika from Aizawl.
Sitting beside his coach, Brandon said as a team they will treat this game in the same way they do with other matches.
"As a team and as an individual we give importance the same way. We will try our best as a team."
--IANS
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