Kolkata: Mohun Bagan will look to make it to the group stage of the AFC Cup, as they have been boosted by the return of star forward Sony Norde, ahead of their second leg qualifier against Club Valencia of Maldives.
The Mariners had rested six of their players for the first-leg fixture in Male with their star Haitian forward Sony Norde also missing in action due to a troubled knee. The result was they were held to a 1-1 draw in the match.
Keeping an eye on their crammed schedule, the Mohun Bagan think-tank had decided to rest six of their key players for the first-leg game.
But on Tuesday, Norde will be back while their main goalkeeper Debjit Majumder is also set to replace Shilton Paul.
The Kolkata heavyweights, however, may not include Duffy who had scored in the first-leg and Pronay Halder may also not be part of the 18, while Pritam Kotal and Katsumi Yusa may start from the bench.
"I don't believe in any rotation policy but as a matter of fact we would be playing four to five matches in a space of 10-12 days. So the idea is to give some players rest," Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen said at the match-eve press conference.
The South Zone Playoff winners will join Bengaluru FC, Mazia Sports and Recreation of Maldives and Abahani Limited Dhaka in group E and face the Indian I-League champions in their first match in an away fixture on March 14.
Club Valencia striker Godfrey West Omodu nullified Darryl Duffy's sixth minute lead with his strike in the 71st minute as Mohun Bagan had to settle for a draw.
But the away-goal advantage would give Mohun Bagan an upper hand as they can qualify to the group stage if they manage a goalless draw.
However, Sanjoy Sen's men will hope to seal their progress with a convincing victory.
"It's a must-win match for us. I still consider I-League to be tougher than the AFC Cup," Sen said.
The Maldives outfit have arrived with all the three foreigners – Godfrey, Chizi Kaka Chinda and Chinonye Prince Chinda.
Terming Mohun Bagan a strong side, coach Ahmed Mujuthaba said: "We would look to attack. We have a young side but we did well at home."
