I-League: Sreenidi Deccan face Mohammedan Sporting, hope to replicate home form (preview)

Kolkata: Sreenidi Deccan, 2022-23 I-League leaders, meets Mohammedan Sporting here on Friday at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan and they will look to repeat their home form.

There has been a coaching change for the hosts as Spaniard Kibu Vicuna was replaced by former Real Kashmir head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo on Wednesday. Currently ranked 10th and five points ahead of Mumbai Kenkre in the relegation zone, a victory for the black and white brigade will provide significant breathing space in the relegation battle.

However, Wadoo’s first Test could not have been tougher – against a red-hot Sreenidi Deccan side currently on a five-game winning streak. In addition, Mohammedan will be without captain Marcus Joseph, who is suspended from the game after four yellow cards.

Late goals have been an issue in Mohammedan’s last three games. They conceded against Real Kashmir in the 86th minute last Saturday and lost 3-2. Earlier this month they lost to a Churchill Brothers goal in the 94th minute. Conversely, in their last home game, the Black and White Brigade scored a 93rd-minute winner against Gokulam Kerala.

At the pre-game press conference, Wadoo spoke to the media about his challenge to take over as head coach of Mohammedan Sporting in the latter part of the season.

“It’s never easy when you come in at this stage of the season. The guys showed positive energy and attitude in training and that helped me. The mood in the dressing room is good and as a coach it’s important to me and hopefully tomorrow we’ll carry that positive momentum into our game and get a positive result,” said Wadoo.

The former India international appears to be expecting a difficult encounter on Friday.

“Of course it’s not easy as we’re going to meet the leaders, but at the same time it’s our home game and given our situation we can’t afford to lose,” he said.

Head-to-head with title rivals RoundGlass Punjab at the top of the standings on Friday, Sreenidi Deccan can’t afford any mistakes either. Their last clash with Mohammedan resulted in a thrilling 4-3 win for the Deccan Warriors as they picked up all three points in Hyderabad while two goals down.

This time, however, the scenario will be very different as Mohammedan has changed coaches twice since that December encounter.

“There was a coaching change at Mohammedan so we’re expecting a different team,” said Sreenidi Deccan head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto.

“The players are the same and we know Marcus (Joseph) can’t play but they are a good team nonetheless. We know the style of the Kashmiri coach and it will be a tough game but we will go for the three points,” she added.

While Sreenidi have been in brilliant form at home, they have struggled away from home, losing in two of their last three games (2-1 v Mumbai Kenkre and 1-0 v Rajasthan United).

Discussing the hurdles of playing teams away from home, Pinto said: “We have different plans for home and away games. We know how to defend against Mohammedan and how to create chances. I can’t say exactly how, but we have a plan.

-IANS