With the I-League season over and with the team having reached the knockout stages of the AFC Cup 2016, Mohun Bagan will be looking to put fresh focus on the Federation Cup 2016. The Mariners take on Salgaocar FC in their opening game of the competition at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa, on Monday.
The Federation Cup 2016 already saw a major upset in the very first match of the competition, as Aizawl FC, who were relegated from the I-League this season, bagged a win over defending Federation Cup champions and current I-League winners Bengaluru FC in Mizoram last Saturday.
Mohun Bagan were unable to defend the I-League title and they are disappointed. In the prematch press conference, Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen has again confirmed that he is looking for at least one trophy this season. Bagging the AFC Cup 2016 title may not be so easy, but the Mariners could still win the Federation Cup, if they make a bright start and continue that momentum.
"Definitely. We want to win a trophy," said Sen, quoted by an AIFF media release. "Whatever is gone has gone and is past now. So our focus is to win this cup. "When we started the season after becoming champions (last edition of the I-League), expectations in Kolkata were just too high. So at least for our supporters we should try our level best," he added.
"We are disappointed to lose the I-League trophy and this is our new target to get the Federation Cup 2016 for the fans and for the team," mentioned Mohun Bagan's star striker Jeje Lalpekhlua.
Goan side Salgaocar finished sixth in the I-League this season, avoiding relegation to the second division by a whisker. Ahead of the Federation Cup 2016, the Goan side are desperate to move on from what transpired earlier this season and target a brand new start.
"It's a fresh start for us. The I-League campaign was very disappointing as we were desperate to finish a lot higher up the league than what we eventually did," said Salgaocar's star striker Darryl Duffy. "So the Federation Cup is a new opportunity to do well and try and win a trophy."
Where to watch live
The first leg match of the competition between Salgaocar FC and Mohun Bagan is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. IST on May 2.
There will be no broadcast of the match in India. However, online streaming will be available on the official I-League website.
The live scores can be found on the official AIFF twitter handle.
