We'll try to reach another final like we did few months ago, outlines East Bengal boss Carles Cuadrat

Carles Cuadrat also shed light on playing the Kolkata derby in Kalinga Super Cup.

East Bengal are ready to begin their 2024 Kalinga Super Cup campaign with a challenging task against fellow Indian Super League (ISL) side Hyderabad FC in Group A. With only one team from the group, also containing Mohun Bagan SG and Sreenidi Deccan, able to go into the semi-finals, the pressure is on the Kolkata giants to get a win.

East Bengal’s state of mind before Super Cup

Head coach Carles Cuadrat is relaxed ahead of the clash and feels that his side are ready for the task ahead. He said: “We are ready. We’ve been training here in Bhubaneswar for two days and are ready for the games ahead. It’s a very powerful group with strong teams and only one team goes into the semi-finals. But we’re ready; we will try to compete and we will try to reach another final like we did just a few months ago in Durand Cup. That is the aim of the players and the club.”

Thoughts on Hyderabad FC

When asked about his thoughts on Hyderabad, who have struggled in the ISL this season, he said: “Hyderabad are playing very good football. They’ve not been lucky enough with results, but if you see their games they have created enough chances and have gotten very close to getting results in a lot of games so we have a lot of respect for them. It was not easy for us to get three points at home that was only just because of the added minute free kick or else that would’ve been a draw. Before that, we played a friendly and they defeated us 1-0. They will try to play a difficult game, so we must be very focused and take advantage of our chances otherwise it’ll be tough to get a result.”

Thoughts on playing an extra Kolkata Derby

Carles Cuadrat is also pleased that his side can face Mohun Bagan again. He mentioned: “We know that Mohun Bagan have wonderful players so if you put six foreigners together, they’ll have a strong squad. What is important is that we have another ‘boro match’ ahead of the ISL games. It’s good that the two centenary clubs have a third derby in another competition. That is great for all football fans in India and we are ready to have a nice game to play.”

Objectives for Super Cup

The Spaniard isn’t that bothered about eyeing to win the Super Cup after reaching the Durand Cup final earlier in the campaign. He is only targeting the semis for now.

“We have been a competitive team against all opponents until now. Even in games we’ve lost, only 4 in 16 until now, it’s only been a one-goal difference. It means you are in the game, until the last minute of added time, you have a chance to get a draw or win the game. We never lost a game by two goals or more this season. We’ll try to be competitive, get as many points as possible and get to the semi-finals. That is our first target for the competition,” he outlined.

Finally, Carles Cuadrat insisted that his focus is on playing those players who can help his side get results in this tournament rather than treating it as a platform to give youngsters more game-time. He asserted: “We will not be able to play our best team on the pitch, we are missing key players in Lalchungnunga and Mahesh Singh and we have to provide players that can get the results for us in that positions. It’s not about giving confidence to the youngsters, it is about to get results, so we will use our best players at the moment to try to fight for the Trophy.”

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