Indian Football: Mohun Bagan vs. East Bengal Preview and Predictions, Northeast United pip Chennaiyin FC in ISL, Churchill Brothers break Indian Arrows hearts in I-League, and much more!

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East Bengal might play in the 2019 Super Cup
East Bengal might play in the 2019 Super Cup

Welcome to another edition of the Indian football news roundup. Today, we will preview and predict the result of the Mohun Bagan vs. East Bengal match, Northeast United FC’s slender one-goal win over Chennaiyin FC in the ISL, Churchill Brothers breaking Indian Arrows’ hearts in the I-League, and Gokulam FC and Minerva Punjab’s latest signing.

In case you missed out yesterday’s edition of the Indian football news roundup, you can check it out here.

I-League: Mohun Bagan vs. East Bengal- Preview and Predictions

Familar foes in Indian football, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, will lock horns against each other, in what could be the last Kolkata derby in the I-League history, one more time on Sunday. The viewers can catch the game live on Star Sports 3 and Hotstar at 5:30 p.m.

East Bengal will once again head into the game as favorites owing to their superior position in the I-League table. However, the Red and Golds cannot take Mohun Bagan lightly as they are yet to taste defeat under their new manager Khalid Jamil.

The onus will be on Joby Justin, Lalrindika Ralte, Borja Perez, and Laldanmawia Ralte to ensure East Bengal complete the double. Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, will rely on Sony Norde, Dipanda Dicka, SK Faiaz, and Abhishek Ambekar to get their revenge.

Fulltime Predictions: Mohun Bagan 3-4 East Bengal

ISL: Bartholomew Ogbeche’s late strike help Northeast United sink Chennaiyin FC

Northeast United started the third phase of the ISL with a bang as they defeated the defending champions Chennaiyin FC 1-0 thanks to their top scorer Bartholomew Ogbeche’s late strike. This win takes the Highlanders to the third spot on the table with 23 points from 13 matches.

Northeast United came close to scoring multiple times in the game but, Karanjit Singh’s acrobatic saves denied them the lead. The deadlock was finally broken in the 84th minute by Bartholomew Ogbeche, who smothered the back of the net with a shot taken from outside the box. The Highlanders held on to the lead and walked away with three points.

They will next face Bengaluru FC on 30th January. Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, will cross swords with FC Pune City on 2nd February.

I-League: Churchill Brothers break Indian Arrows’ hearts

Willis Plaza’s brace broke the Indian Arrows’ hearts in the I-League as Churchill Brothers won the encounter 2-1. Deepak Tangri scored for the AIFF Developmental side after nodding the ball in from a well-taken corner-kick.

Both the sides started the game by blazing all their guns, however, it was the home side which drew first blood. Dawda Ceesay gave an inch-perfect diagonal low cross, piercing the Arrows defense, which was connected by the Trinidad & Tobago striker in the 22nd minute.

Deepak Tangri leveled things up in the 38th minute after defensive midfielder Deepak Tangri nodded in Abhijit Sarkar’s well-taken corner kick. However, their joy was short lived as Willis Plaza once again put them ahead just before the half-time whistle with his brilliant individual skills.

Indian Arrows got a golden opportunity to spoil Churchill Brothers’ plans in the 84th minute when Sanjeev Stalin stepped up to take the penalty. However, the goalkeeper saved his shot.

I-League: Minerva Punjab sign Cornelius Stewart, Gokulam FC rope in Collin Abranches

In order to bolster their chances of making it to the group stages of the 2019 AFC Champions League, Minerva Punjab has signed in Cornelius Stewart from Maldives’ Maziya Sports & Recreation Club. Gokulam FC, on the other hand, has roped in Collin Abranches, who was without a club since his previous stint with Bengaluru FC got over.