Kolkata: East Bengal, the only unbeaten side in the on-going I-League football season, will look to cement their top spot in the table when they take on Goan giants Salgaocar in the eighth round at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Tuesday.
With his team having won four of the last five matches in the tournament East Bengal's English coach Trevor James Morgan echoed the confidence that befits a side in good form and hoped to pick up another win at home.
Having established his credentials as an astute coach Morgan will have a test of his tactical acumen when he takes on another seasoned coach from his own country - David Booth.
"It is nice to have some from UK on the other side. We share mutual respect for each other," said Morgan, adding that he knows Booth as a coach since his playing days in the English league.
"The team (Salgaocar) is going through a phase of transition and such sides can produce a good result any time," Morgan said with a note of caution about his opponent.
"Staying on top (of the standings) is a tough ask and my players know exactly how to perform in such situation. It will be crucial match for both the sides," Morgan said.
"The team will more or less be the same except for some changes in the squad of 18," he added.
The coach said there are some niggling injuries to some of the main team players, including Nigerian striker Edeh Cidi, but none have been ruled out of selection.
"East Bengal definitely is one of the contenders for the title but they are not unstoppable. My team is adjusting to my philosophy and hence struggling a bit. We hope we will be able to put up a good showing against East Bengal," Booth said about Salgaocar's chances.
Salgaocar will be playing their seventh away match in eight rounds and third successive match in Kolkata.
"We have been away for home for a long time and would like to return with a positive result before beginning the home round in December," Booth said looking ahead to team's next five rounds at home (beginning with the ninth round match against Dempo SC).
"It has not been very long that I have taken over Salgaocar. The team is in a rebuilding process and have done well against Prayag United in the previous round. We hope to keep up the momentum," Booth added.
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