I League 2013-14:Season Opener Tactical Note

I-League 2013-14: Opening day Preview

Kick off:

After a long break the I league 2013-14 season is finally set for its curtain raising opening day with come back boys Mohammedan Sporting hosting Pune FC at VYBK,Kolkata(03:00pm), Mumbai FC hosting Sporting Club de Goa at Balewadi Sports complex in Pune(04:00pm) and a mouthwatering Goan derby with Churchill playing host to Salgaocar FC at Duler Sports Complex in Goa(04:00pm). We take a look at Mohammedan Sporting recently basking with the glory of a Durand Cup triumph after 72 long years under coach Mashood Bola Abdul Aziz will have a tough opening game against Pune FC on opening day.Mohammedan Sporting's Durand win was somehow marred by the loss of influential defender, Brazilian Lousiano Sabrosa who suffered a serious injury on his arm on the Durand final and set to miss few games.However, Coach Aziz will have plenty of options upfront as he will line up the trusted duo of Tolgey Ozbey and Orji Penn,he might keep Joshimar de Silva to use him off the bench.

Mohammedan will look to rely on midfield services of Collin Abranches,Israel Gurung and Khemthang Paite along with the ever reliable Penn Orji to ensure supply for the forward line. Paite and Collin Abranches will look to keep both the flanks active,while Jerry Zirsanga is another option off the bench to ensure crosses keeps flying into the box to find Tolgay or the towering Joshimar. Samson is likely to play a more holding role and it would be a brain raking decision for Coach Aziz to find a replacement for Luciano Sabrosa to pair along with Collin,Sandeep Sangha and Dhanarajan to form the back four.Bola Aziz has the option of fielding Justine Stephen (16), Baldip Singh (5), Barundip singh (3) as probable replacement for Luciano and Gagandeep and Stephen seems to be the prime contenders spot. Mohammedan Sporting has a few lively options to come off the bench should the coach needs to inject fresh legs in the post hour mark in the form of Ashim Biswas ,veteran Dipendu Biswas and Israel Gurung. 
Tactical Note:
Coach Aziz will play in a probable 4-3-1-2 formation looking to hold the ball and a very industrial pass and run form of play.They will look to keep the ball close to ground and will use the aerial services on both flanks to find their poaching duo of Tolgay-Joshimar. On the other hand Pune FC brings a lot of new unknown quantity this season under new coach Snoei and New signings striker Raul Fabiani, winger James Meyer and defender Calum Angus.Pune FC have always been tough opponents to any teams and it can be anticipated they will be playing a typical formation and build up play looking to hold their shape through out the game and force Mohammedan defenders to push deep inside and create pressure in the attacking third for their attacking duo of Fabiani and Meyer to cause inroads into the Mohammedan defence.

The major challenge for Pune C will be to get the best out of local and academy boys to support their foreign recruits and maintain possession in the attacking half. Overall a god encounter awaits in YBK Stadium Salt Lake and keep following us more post match reviews.
Post Match Scores & Analysis:
The opening day of I League failed failed to live up to it's expectation as the home fans were left in despair by a dismal performance by a seemingly tired Mohammedan Sporting team.The team looked sloth and at time sloppy as they were outplayed by a clinical Pune FC team who played strings of passes from defence upto to the attacking third to wear the opponents down. Arata Izumi played  a pivotal role in the Pune FC midfield as he seamlessly stringed passes between the back for to his forward line and duly supported by James Meyer. Arata and lanky striker Fabiani beautifully combined to create a number of opening down the right flanks and Fabiani used his long strides beautifully to wiggle through a shaky Mohammedan SC defence.
Raul Fabiani was impressive through out the match with long rangers as well as ball skills and neat headers and tormented the Mohammedan Goalkeeper through out the match.The first goal was a poachers goal latching on to a rebound off the post neatly putting it to the back of the net while his second and Pune's third goal was a brilliant counter attack move  to make it 3-1.However,the celebrations was marred as he was sent off for a second yellow for improper goal celebrations.
On the other hand Coach Aziz's boys ,despite taking an early lead slumped to a  3-1 defeat and looked below far at times.An off color Penn was taken off in the first half while Tolgay looked a shadow of his past hardly creating any openings. Joshimar scored the opening goal but was guilty of missing a few seater with only goalkeeper at his mercy.It will be interesting to see how coach Aziz manages to pick up his boys and how they faren in upcoming games of the marathon league. Mohammedan SC is a supporter based club and heat is on !
Final Score:
MOHAMMEDAN SC   1-3   PUNE FC 
(Joshimar de Silva-15')    (Raul Fabiani:15';77',JamesMeyer 53')