Sanjay Sen expects tough game against Mumbai FC, praises travelling Bagan fans

MOHUN BAGAN head coach Sanjay Sen said he was treating Mumbai FC with respect ahead of their I-League clash on Wednesday at the Cooperage Stadium.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the game, Sen said about the Mumbai FC team,

"In the end, we're facing a tough battle tomorrow. I always appreciate the work Khalid is doing with Mumbai FC. It's always hard to beat them at their home, because they play a different type of football. They defend well and this season they've boosted their attack with some very good players, like Arata, Brown and Sushil Singh. It'll be challenging."

Sen said that apart from the old injuries to Balwant Singh, Subash Singh and Lenny Rodrigues there are no new injuries in the squad, and the players were well-rested ahead after their recent hectic schedules at I-League and the AFC Champions League.

When a reporter asked about the considerably less amount of crowd that I-League draws in comparison to ISL, Sen answered,

"It's the organizers' fault. There are certain fixtures in Indian football that don't need advertising; like the Kolkata Derby and other matches in Kolkata. But in places like Mumbai and Goa, where a lot of people come to see ISL, there are few takers for I-League matches. It's up to the organizers to take care of these things. I think football is popular in India, whether it's ISL or I-League. But we need more promotion."

The I-League winning coach pointed out the fact that Mohun Bagan have found support wherever they have played recently,

"Some of them have traveled far to support the club. Even tomorrow we may see 30-40 supporters show up to support us. That's a good thing."