I am very happy with the performance of players & way we are improving as a team- Kibu Vicuna

The Mariners will kickoff their campaign by participating in the upcoming Calcutta Football League and Durand Cup.

Mohun Bagan have had a busy pre-season in Goa, where the players had a training camp and played some friendly matches with some of the local clubs.

The new boss of the Mariners, Kibu Vicuna sounded very optimistic earlier about his team and how everyone has fared in the practice matches. On Thursday, Bagan faced Goa Pro League outfit Calangute Association. Vicuna used two sets of players in either half and the Green and Maroons ended the 90 minutes with a dominant 6-1 scoreline.

After a disappointing I-League campaign last season, the Mariners have revamped their squad and brought in a horde of new Indian talent, alongside four Spanish foreigners so far.

Among the overseas players, forward Salva Chamorro and defender Francisco Morante have joined the side in Goa and have played in all the pre-season matches. The 29-year-old former Barcelona B man even registered his name on the scoresheet against Calangute and was also the main man in assisting Surabuddin Mallick. Also, young players like Nongdamba Naorem, Imran Khan and Romario Jesuraj have performed well in the pre-season.

Now. with the campaign set to start with the Calcutta Football League and Durand Cup running simultaneously, Vicuna feels that his team is getting along nicely with the pre-season camp in place.

"I am very happy with the performance of the players and the way we are improving as a team. The three friendly games were very positive, not only for the results, but the way they helped us to grow as a team. The young players are also important with the foreign players and all in all I feel it was a fruitful training camp," said Vicuna in his feedback regarding the training camp in Goa.

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Now, the Mariners will return to Kolkata and will continue their training regime. The former Osasuna assistant feels confident about his team and feels that both the CFL and the Durand Cup will help the team gain confidence and also get in shape ahead of the all-important I-League.

Bagan are set to lock horns against Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Durand Cup opening fixture on 2nd August at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.