Kolkata, May 27 (IANS) Even though Mohun Bagan need just a point from their final I-League match against Bengaluru FC on Sunday to regain the football championship after 13 years, coach Sanjoy Sen says they will be going for all three points instead of sitting back and aiming for a stalemate.
“We will play for a win. If we play with a defensive mindset then we have already lost the battle before it has begun,” Sen was quoted as saying by the I-League website on Tuesday.
“Committing bodies behind the ball is bound to leak goals and that is something we will not do. We will adapt an attacking approach and see how it pans out.”
Asked about going into the final match with a two point lead over Bengaluru, Sen said: “It’s a double edged sword. It’s an advantage because we are currently at the top of I-League and that is bound to inspire us.
“At the same time it’s a disadvantage because Bengaluru FC have nothing to lose and will play with their natural game. You never know, it may hurt us.”
The Mohun Bagan coach does not want to take the opposition lightly but believes if his team plays as a well-knit unit then it can surely come out on top.
“If we play together as a team we have the capacity to subdue anybody. That said Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC are two of the most consistent teams in I-League and we have to be wary of them.
“It will certainly not be a walk in the park for us — we will have to be at the best of our abilities,” the former Prayag United coach said.
The 54-year-old also believes there will be no psychological advantage going into the match even though they had trampled Bengaluru 4-1 last time around.
“I don’t think there will be any psychological advantage. It is a new match, a chance for both teams to garner a win and we will play it as so,” he said.
Sen admitted there were pre-match jitters but as professionals the players need to overcome them and give their best on Sunday.
“Everyone present within the Bagan squad is aware of the significance of the match. If there is any pressure then the players need to absorb it,” Sen said.
“We have worked hard to reach this point and we hope to see it through. We just need to emulate our best selves and play like we have in the I-League, all season long.”