The curtain will fall on one of the premier football clubs in the city as Mahindra United, who will disband after the match, take on JCT in their last I-League encounter here on Thursday.
The club management’s decision last month to exit professional football and focus on the grassroots level came as a shock to fans, who will get one last chance to see their favourite team in action. Fourth after the penultimate round of the season, Mahindra would love to go out on a high, team manager Henry Menezes said.
“That’s what we always try to do, win,” said the former India goalkeeper on the eve of the match.
A victory will enable Mahindra to secure fourth place as Mohun Bagan, who are two points behind them with 36 to their credit, will then be unable to overhaul their tally.
Meanwhile, East Bengal will look to finish the season with a win when they take on over Viva Kerala at the Howrah Municipal Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday, but the task is an uphill one as Phillippe de Ridder’s men are minus defenders Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Soumik Dey (injured) and suspended midfielder Mehtab Hossain.
The only relief for the camp is that East Bengal are no more in danger of being relegated even if they lose.