Mariners eye three-in-a-row

McDowell Mohun Bagan, after having beaten Kingfisher East Bengal twice this season, will look to make it 3 in a row when the two teams meet in a 19th round match of I-League 2011-12 to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Mariners with 2 back-to-back wins against Pailan Arrows and Chirag United Kerala are now in the 3rd position in the league table with 33 points from 18 matches. A win in tomorrow's match will ensure 2nd position at the end of this round. Mariners scored 2 goals in the last 5 minutes to seal an away match victory in the last match against Chirag United Kerala

Rahim Nabi is uncertain to play because of a hamstring injury. Coach Prasanta Banerjee said, "We have not yet decided on Rahim Nabi. He has a 50-50 chance of playing, depending on his condition tomorrow." Rahim Nabi did not participate in today's practice session, which was held on the Club grounds in the morning. He spent time in the Club's multi-gym today.

Sunil Chhetri is likely to start with Odafa Okolie in the forward line. Jose Barreto might come as a replacement. Prasanta Banerjee said, "We haven't yet finalized tomorrow's team, but we want someone experienced on the reserve bench who can come in the 2nd half."

Daniel Zeleny and Hudson Lima are expected to be a part of the starting lineup. Like Odafa, Hudson Lima is in good form and in the last match, he was instrumental in all the 3 goals that McDowell Mohun Bagan scored.

When asked if Mariners could beat Kingfisher East Bengal for the 3rd consecutive time, Technical Director Subrata Bhattacharya said, "Winning 3 teams in a row against Kingfisher East Bengal is just for record, it is of no other importance. The imporant thing from I-League's perspective is that we are 1 point behind East Bengal and we will have to beat them to move to the 2nd position."