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Imphal, Feb 22 (IANS) TRAU FC will be playing host to struggling Kolkata giants East Bengal on Sunday.
The solitary I-League meeting between the two sides ended in heartbreak for TRAU in Kalyani, with Marti Crespi scoring a late winner to deny the visitors their first league point. East Bengal were top of the table back then while the league debutants were rock bottom but the tables have turned since and drastically so.
TRAU went on to forge a seven-game unbeaten run, which saw them rise to third in the table but have lost some steam following their derby day capitulation at the hands of city rivals Neroca, losing 0-5 in the return leg of the Imphal derby.
The hosts went on to lose 0-2 against Aizawl and played out a goalless draw against Chennai City. However, the point they earned against the defending champions could be attributed to the sheer goalkeeping brilliance of Shayan Roy, who stepped in for Mithun Samanta and produced a catalogue of world-class saves to shut shop in a game that could have otherwise seen at least three or four goals.
Speaking ahead of the game, Princewill Emeka, Captain, TRAU FC said, "We need to get back to winning ways and we want to do that in front of our home support. Against East Bengal, it's always going to be challenging no matter what position they are in on the table. We are wary of the challenge and we are ready.
"We did create a few chances against Chennai and they had chances of their own. It was an even game and we will be taking the positives forward and build on it in our next game," he concluded.
East Bengal on the other hand went from being table toppers to dropping to the dreaded relegation zone after losing five games since the turn of the year but a win in their last game against the Indian Arrows must have eased some pressure.
With a win over TRAU, the Red and Golds could rise to fourth in the table.
East Bengal gaffer Mario Rivera Campesino reflected on the precious three points his side earned against the Arrows and said, "A win always serves as a boost in confidence and motivation, so the three points against the Indian Arrows were very important."
He was quick to dismiss any analogy of the timing being ideal to face TRAU based on their run of form by adding, "All matches in the I-League are a challenge, irrespective of your form. TRAU will be playing to win and so will we."
--IANS
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