ISL: SC East Bengal, Bengaluru FC look to end season on a high

SC East Bengal and Bengaluru FC will both look to finish the season on a high after their underwhelming campaigns when they meet in the Indian Super League here on Saturday. SC East Bengal will finish at the bottom even if they beat Bengaluru FC owing to an inferior head-to-head record against NorthEast United FC who are placed a rung above them. This has been a season to forget for the red and gold brigade who have once again failed to deliver the goods like in their first season in the ISL, leaving their huge number of fans disappointed.

The Kolkata club has managed to win just one game so far, with only 11 points from 19 matches, East Bengal remains at the bottom of the table. "If we check the results in my tenure, it's not good, but the improvement is there for all to see. We grew more confident with the ball, the ability to string passes together increased, and we created many chances," said head coach Mario Rivera.

Rivera took charge midway after Jose Manuel Diaz parted ways and Renedy Singh finished his time as interim coach. "I will look to provide some game time to the young players tomorrow. They have been training well and deserve some minutes," he added.

Nepal defender Ananta Tamang, who joined SC East Bengal in the January transfer window to fill the Asian quota left empty by Tomislav Mrcela, could be seen in action on Saturday. "Ananta Tamang will be on the team list, it remains to be seen whether he will get game time. It is never easy for anyone to play after being in quarantine for so long but he is a good player with a positive attitude," Rivera said.