East Bengal start as favourites when they take on Yangon United of Myanmar in the AFC Cup pre-quarterfinals at the Salt Lake Stadium here tomorrow.
Placed fourth in the ongoing Myanmar league, the Yangon United made the last-16 stage after finishing runners-up to New Radiant SC of Maldives on goal difference in the Group F of the preliminary stage of the AFC Cup.
East Bengal, on the other hand, had a historic unbeaten run as they topped Group H that earned them the right to play the knockout one-leg round at home.
Trevor Morgan's men, who concluded the I-League on a losing note to finish third, will bank on the home supporters as they will be desperate to come to terms in the tournament that has been eventful for them.
"To qualify (for pre-quarters) by being unbeaten is a big achievement. Now, we all are keen to make the quarterfinals. Hope the crowd come in large numbers and cheer for us," Morgan said on the eve of the match.
Profligacy has been one of the key factors for their disappointing run in the I-League but Morgan did not sound worried.
"The strikers are missing chances but I am happy that they are creating opportunities. That's a positive sign," Morgan said.
The Englishman, however, said the Myanmarese opponents could be tough nut to crack.
Pointing out that the Yangon outfit had 15 points compared to East Bengal's 14 at the group stage, Morgan said, "They might have finished runners-up but they won five matches."
East Bengal had won four and drew one en route to the last-16 and Morgan said the Yangon side would be a big challenge.
