ISL 2024-25: Stewart, Petratos available for selection for Kolkata Derby, says Mohun Bagan head coach Molina

ISL 2024-25: Stewart, Petratos available for selection for Kolkata Derby, says Mohun Bagan head coach Molina

Scotsman Greg Stewart and Australian marksman Dimitrios Petratos will be available for selection for the much-anticipated Kolkata Derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the latter’s head coach Jose Molina confirmed on Friday.

While Stewart came off the bench in the Mariners’ late in their 3-0 win over Hyderabad FC on January 2 – on the heels of missing three matches, Petratos is returning to the mix after the missing the side’s last two fixtures.

“Greg Stewart and Dimi Petratos are available for tomorrow’s match, but I can’t tell you whether they can play 90 minutes. We will see tomorrow,” Mohun Bagan head coach Jose Molina told reporters ahead of the match against East Bengal.

However, the Spaniard kept his cards close about whether the former Mumbai City and Jamshedpur FC player would start the game. “You will see tomorrow.”

The availability of the foreigner duo could act as a boost for the table-topper after Indians Ashique Kuruniyan and Anirudh Thapa were earlier ruled out of the upcoming clash.

“I want to have all my players available for all the matches. But injuries are part of the game. And we have enough good players to play well. I’m not looking for excuses,” Molina said.

The Mohun Bagan coach also acknowledged that the derby match, being played in Guwahati due to security concerns back in the City of Joy, would be tough.

“It’ll be very difficult. It doesn’t matter where they [East Bengal] are, they have good players. They will fight, and we will have to work hard and try to win the most important match for our fans,” he commented.