Three Star had arrived in Sikkim without skipper Bishan Gauchan as well as Ranjit Shrestha and were supposed to field Munbara as the captain. [break]According to the Three Star president Lalit Krishna Shrestha, midfielder Mumbara had given his word to play for his club but has already crossed the carpet.
The Three Star were shell-shocked even before they reached the venue. Halfway through Kakarvitta -- on their way to Sikkim-- they learnt that Mumbara was playing from MMC.
Mumbara, who came along with a Nigerian player on Saturday, replaced Rajesh Shahi during the first half but could not perform any miracles for the team. In utter dismay, Mumbara flopped and also missed the spot-kick in the shootout.
The event is likely to increase the rivalry between these two teams. And, the first symptoms of this are already seen in the ongoing tournament in Sikkim.
Three Star Manager Krishna Bahadur Shrestha blames MMC coach Bal Gopal Maharjan as the main culprit behind Mumbara case. “Maharjan should not have fielded Mumbara in his squad knowing that he has been playing for Three Star,” said Shrestha.
According to MMC coach Maharjan, his players had contacted Mumbara long ago. “It´s the individual player´s decision to choose the club. Mumbara expressed desire to play from MMC when I asked him.”
Despite Mumbara´s conspicous absence, Three Star players´ confidence has not waned a bit. The team will be facing the first division Indian outfit Pune FC in the pre-quarterfinal match on Monday at the Paljor Stadium, Gangtok.
Coach Megraj KC has already designed the team´s formation without Mumbara. KC opines that initial 15 minutes will be spent on knowing the opponents. The other cause for his high morale is the team´s journey to final in the Bordoloi Cup held at Guwahati, India, some two months ago.
KC is a bit worried of his midfield line up rather than forward and defence. The absence of Gauchan and Shrestha has made the midfield line weak, KC said. KC is likely to field Rajkumar Ghising, Anil Ojha, Yogesh Gurung and Prabin Karki in midfield. Karki is facing a year ban in Nepal after he manhandled referee during the British Gurkha Cup last year.
New skipper Sanjeev Budhatokhi, Bishnu Sunwar, Bikas Singh Chhetri and Biraj Maharjan will handle the defence line up. Buddha Chemjong and Bharat Khawas will play as forwards.
Former champion Three Star had crashed out from the group stage in the last edition. Among their five participations, Three Star had made to the final twice and crashed from the first stage twice and exited from the semis once.
According to Ranjit Chaudhari, Technical Director of Pune FC, his squad consists of U-19 players other than four seniors. He is motivated to put up a good performance. “We will try to put up good show in the match. The young players are highly motivated.”
However, Three Star is anticipating a tough challenge from the opponents who secured third position in the last edition of the I-League.
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