KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club will be looking to sign off on a high when they take on East Bengal in their last Group A match of the ongoing U-19 IFA Shield 2017 at East Bengal Ground on Sunday (4 June, 2017).

Mohammedan sit bottom of the table after a frustrating opening two matches. Mohammedan’s two defeats against Pathachakra Club (2-1) and AIFF Elite Academy (4-0) mean they have no chance of progressing to the semifinals, though they will be keen to record their first win of the tournament.

Their opponents East Bengal, on the other hand, are faring only slightly better. A disappointing 2-1 loss to AIFF Academy was followed by a 2-2 draw against Pathachakra, leaving the Red and Golds with a solitary point and just a slim chance of qualifying if they can secure a big win over Mohammedan and AIFF Academy do them a favour simultaneously by beating second-placed Pathachakra, who are on four points from two matches.

“We have nothing to look forward to than a positive result in our last match against East Bengal on Sunday,” Mohammedan’s U-19 coach, Zaheer Abbas Hamza said on the eve of the clash.

“Of course the disappointment is there because we did not achieve our goal but this is a learning period where these young players need to get maximum experience. I am pleased and proud of my players for their display.

It is an opportunity for us to see how the boys would react under this difficult situation to defend the honour of the club. I want the players to play with the motivation and give our fans one last moment of joy this season,” added the former India midfielder.

Incidentally, Mohammedan and East Bengal have met nine times at this level with East Bengal claiming victory in all past encounters.

The match at East Bengal Ground will kick-off at 3:30 PM on Sunday.