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Bagan look to turn around vs Sporting Clube

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Press Trust of India Kolkata
Despite Odafa Okolie yet to attain full match fitness, Mohun Bagan will look for their maiden win in the I-League when they take on Sporting Clube de Goa here tomorrow.

Having attained about 80 per cent match fitness, the Nigerian striker had some niggle during their practice yesterday as Mohun Bagan would look to exploit the home advantage fully.

Mohun Bagan have registered only two draws in their first three matches but all of them were away fixtures so the green-and-maroon brigade would be keen for three points from tomorrow's fixture.

The Kolkata giants suffered their first defeat of the season in the last round as they were beaten 0-2 by Pune FC with Nigerian central defender Echezona Anyichie being sent off.
 

Anyichie thus will be ruled out of tomorrow's encounter and Karim Bencherifa may have some selection issues.

Bencherifa, who won the I-League with Salgaocar in 2010-11 despite having a modest squad, said his players were confident.

"We have a lot of new players in the squad this time and are missing some important ones for this match but we are focused on getting the right result against Sporting Clube," Bencherifa said.

Sporting Clube, on the other hand, would play after a two-week break as the home side would fancy their chances.

The Goans had a 1-0 away win at Shillong as they have four points from three matches with a loss to United SC here.

Nigerian midfielder Ogba Kalu Nnanna would once again hold the key while Joseph Pereira, who completed 10 years with the side, would look to inspire the team.

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First Published: Oct 18 2013 | 6:31 PM IST

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