SIKKIM TO FEATURE ON BOTH SIDES OF I-LEAGUE MATCH AT PALJOR STADIUM TODAY

East Bengal FC hopes to continue winning streak
GANGTOK, 10 Oct: Federation Cup champions, East Bengal FC is ready to take on home team, United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] in Thursday’s I-League match and hopes to continue its winning streak this season. In an interesting twist, Sikkim and Bhaichung will feature prominently on both sides since USFC has Bhaichung Bhutia as its CEO and the East Bengal squad is led by Sanju Pradhan as captain. Midfielder Sanju hails from Sombaria in West Sikkim and is a product of the “Search for More Bhaichungs” scheme.
Addressing a press conference at Paljor Stadium today, coach, Trevor Morgan mentioned that the East Bengal squad is in high spirits and is looking forward to win tomorrow’s match. Responding to media queries, the coach informed that the club has not seen USFC in action so far and will not be taking any team lightly.
Playing in Gangtok will be different for the club since the weather condition is different here said the coach, however adding that, it would not make a big difference in the team’s spirit to play its best game and win the 3 points in the match tomorrow.
At present, the East Bengal squad is led by Sanju Pradhan of Sikkim as captain. Sanju of Sombaria in West Sikkim, was spotted in the ‘Search for More Bhaichungs’ and received coaching at Namchi Sports Hostel and then at the Sikkim Sports Academy before being signed by Air India, Mumbai followed by East Bengal now.
Speaking at the press conference, Sanju mentioned that the pressure is definitely on them since USFC is playing on home ground and is in high spirits after the recent victory over Salgaocar SC. However, he added that the Federation Cup win has also boosted East Bengal’s spirit and the club is confident of winning tomorrow’s match.
Sanju went on to add that he has been playing with professional clubs for the past 6 years and this is for the first time that he will be playing at Paljor Stadium as a professional player. The I-League at Gangtok will inspire young footballers here as well as give people here a taste of professional football, he said.
 “Being a professional footballer I will give my 100% to my club to win tomorrow’s match”, added Sanju.

Bhaichung underlines that USFC is in the fray to win
GANGTOK, 10 Oct: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] co-owner, Bhaichung Bhutia, conveyed that the team was confident and capable to beat every big team on its home ground. He further expressed that the team was riding a high at present following its convincing 3-2 win over Salgaocar last weekend.
After beating the highly-ranked Goan club in its first match in the I-League, USFC is now warming up to take on Kolkata giants East Bengal Football Club on Thursday afternoon at Paljor Stadium.
Bhaichung commented that the match will be a big test for the club, and added that the confidence that the squad carries to the ground tomorrow will further improve its chances. He stressed that USFC will require the 3 points which come to the winner tomorrow since every point collected will secure its place in the senior division I-League. USFC broke into the I-League earlier this year. Bhaichung stressed that for the club to remain among the elite, it will have to win consistently.
He informed that he will be not playing in this second match of I-League either since he has not recovered full fitness yet. He added that he will be fit to play the third home match against current I-League champions, Dempo SC, scheduled for 28 October.
Bhaichung mentioned that by winning the first home against Salgaocar SC the USFC has overcome the debutante jitters and was now a more confident team aiming to perform even better in all home matches. He informed that in the last match the team’s right-winger, Raju Debnath was injured and will be out for a few months.
Bhaichung expressed that the USFC wants more local players in the club, but aspirants need to not only have talent, but also a thirst to excel and the spirit to struggle and fight and earn their place in the team. He mentioned that local players like Ashish Chettri display such talent and commitment and wear the USFC colours in the I-League now.
He also shared that the club aims to sign Sanju Pradhan and Nirmal Chettri of Sikkim.
USFC midfielder, Ashish Chettri stated that the club is ready to play against the East Bengal and the USFC does not want to disappoint the local supporters in tomorrow’s match. He added that the football was a team game and whole team performed well to won the first match.
To make tomorrow’s match more interesting, the club has invited upcoming singer from Darjeeling, Prakriti Giri, to perform during the half time break. Also present to entertain spectators will be a dance troupe from Ravangla.