Guwahati, Dec 7 (PTI) Star India captain Sunil Chhetri isnot skipping any match despite his recent wedding and is setto take the field when Bengaluru FC face a confident NorthEastUnited FC in an Indian Super League match here tomorrow.
The visiting team will have its talismanic striker andcaptain Chhetri available for tomorrow's match as Bengaluruseek to bounce back from the previous match defeat.
Chhetri has joined the team after tying the knot with hislong-time girlfriend.
After opening their campaign with two consecutive wins,Bengaluru suffered a 3-4 loss to FC Goa in their first awaymatch and would want to notch up a win against NorthEastUnited tomorrow.
Bengaluru, however, are facing a goalkeeping crisis asGurpreet Singh Sandhu has been suspended for two matches afterthe Indian national team custodian picked up a red cardagainst FC Goa in the previous match.
Abhra Mondal is not fit, and even though the injuredLalthuammawia Ralte has returned to the side, rookie CalvinAbhishek remains the only match-fit goalkeeper.
NorthEast United FC head coach Joao de Deus insisted thathis opposition team's goalkeeping crisis would not give hisside any advantage in tomorrow's clash.
"The advantage would be only if Bengaluru FC play withouta goalkeeper. But honestly that won't happen. They will have agoalkeeper," de Deus said at the pre-match press conference.
"I don't care about it if it's Calvin, Ralte, Gurpreet oranyone else, it's for their coach to decide, not me. I mustlook at my team. I know for sure that T P (Rehenesh) will beour goalkeeper and they will have one goalkeeper," said theNorthEast United coach.
Bengaluru FC coach Alberto Roca is still undecided on hisfirst-choice goalkeeper for the clash with regular keeperGurpreet suspended and Abhra, Ralte injured, it possiblyleaves him with no choice but to field Calvin.
"I have some problems at the back with regard togoalkeepers but these are circumstances that I cannot change.
I am confident in my goalkeepers and whoever plays will do hisjob well," said Roca.
Talking about Chhetri's availability tomorrow, Roca said,"He is married and available for tomorrow. He joined the teamhere and he is ready. I think he is the most professionalplayer I've had in my career."The match presents an opportunity for NorthEast United tocapitalise on BFC's weakness in front of goal and their lowmorale after the defeat in Goa.
NorthEast United themselves secured an important winagainst Delhi Dynamos in the previous match and are nowconfident they can add to their winning tally.
"We are better today than 15 days ago when we playedJamshedpur. For 15 days, we worked hard to create our ownidentity. We are better. I am sure that Bengaluru FC are alsobetter than their first game," said de Deus.
NorthEast United are placed sixth on the table with fourpoints from three matches while Bengaluru FC are on top withsix points after three matches. PTI PDS CMCM.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.