Rookies take on masters

The final of the the Hero Federation Cup presents a classic case of an apprentice taking on a master. Aizawl FC makes its maiden final appearance against the owner of the most titles, Mohun Bagan, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here on Saturday.

Jahar Das, the veteran coach of the young Aizawl side, dwelt on this aspect after the two sides completed their drills on Friday.

Aizawl, which has been relegated from the I-League where it made its debut this season, is poised on the threshold of history as the first team from Mizoram, more specifically from the north-east, to win the premier club tournament of the country.

The two clubs separated almost by a century — Bagan, the oldest club in Asia, founded in 1889 and Aizawl in 1984 — have more differences, especially when it comes to the tally of titles.

Bagan, the winner of four NFL/I-League titles, has won the Federation Cup the most number of times (13), while Aizawl has nothing to flaunt except a tremendous passion for the sport.

Sanjoy Sen, the Bagan gaffer, said Aizawl had been outstanding in the tournament.

Bagan, which has scored 12 and conceded just two goals in the two-leg quarterfinals and semifinals, is more formidable. Aizawl may not be able to match Bagan in the number of goals scored, but what keeps it motivated is that it beat I-League champion Bengaluru FC twice — home and away — to reach the semifinals, where it got the better of Sporting Club de Goa.

What will be troubling Bagan will be the memory of the 1-2 defeat at Aizawl on March 26 which dislodged it from the I-League title race.

Sen will look to keep his defence composed and expect goals from his formidable attack — comprising Haitian Sony Nordy and Japanese Katsumi Yusa on the flanks and India international Jeje Lalpekhlua and Trinidad & Tobago striker Cornell Glen in the middle.

Bagan is free of injury and suspension concerns giving Sen the best attacking option, while Das’s biggest worry will be the absence of captain David Lalrinmuana, who is suspended for the red card he received in the match against Sporting Clube. The onus, hence, will be on the likes of midfielder Albert Zohmingmawia and Liberian forward Alfred Jaryan.

Match starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday and will be telecast live on TEN 2.