Federation Cup: Mehtab doubtful for semis

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It would certainly be a tremendous achievement if East Bengal go on to score a hat-trick of Federation Cup titles.

At the moment, though, all what matters to the team is crossing the semifinal hurdle and silencing talk of referees and linesmen coming to their ‘assistance’ during the crucial tie versus Dempo SC.

Now, a jolt in the form of midfield mainstay Mehtab Hossain’s groin injury has affected coach Trevor James Morgan’s strategies for Monday’s semi-final against a spirited Prayag United Sports Club.
The gravity of the injury is such that Mehtab had to skip the entire training session on Friday.

“From our very first match itself, I was carrying a niggle. “But since this morning, it started to hurt badly,” the 25-year-old told this newspaper.

“To be honest, there’s no one from the team management trying to impose things upon me. But I’m undergoing all possible treatment to get fit so that I can play the semi-final. I really don’t want to miss out on such an important game.”

Given the load the India international has been taking for the red-and-golds since the last season, it’s truly a big ask to find an appropriate alternative in his place. At present, there aren’t too many players capable of functioning with ease both as a blocker and playmaker as Mehtab is.

A tad worried, the coach, however, preferred to keep his fingers crossed on the medio’s availability.
“I still feel the injury is not too serious. Hopefully, he will be in our scheme of things,” Morgan texted.
East Bengal earned their semifinals berth with a scrappy 1-0 win over Dempo SC in their final Group C game at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Wednesday.

Robing Singh had scored a ‘controversial’ goal to seal the win for East Bengal in the 68th minute.