ISL 2022-23: It will be very difficult to qualify for the playoffs – East Bengal’s head coach Stephen Constantine

East Bengal head coach Stephen Constantine has expressed concerns that it will be very difficult for his team to qualify for the playoffs in the upcoming ISL 2022-23 season. The English football manager believes his team is in arrears in their preparation by at least two months as compared to other teams.

East Bengal had finished the previous season of Hero Indian Super League as cellar dwellers of the tournament. The Kolkata giants could only manage a solitary win in their 20 matches and their head coach Stephen Constantine will be determined to turn the tables in the upcoming season.

Furthermore, they could only manage three wins in the 2020-21 season and finished in ninth place in the standings.

In a media interaction at Novotel in Kolkata on Saturday, October 1, Stephen Constantine said: “We have a new team. We are two months behind the other teams. It will be very difficult to qualify for the playoffs.”

East Bengal will play the curtain raiser of Hero Indian Super League 2022-23 against previous season runners-up Kerala Blasters FC on 7th October at the JLN Stadium, Kochi. Constantine admitted that it is not going to be an easy game for his team.

“All matches are difficult for us. We started practice late. We are going to have a tough season ahead. After the first match, I can tell how prepared my team is. We have played a large number of practice matches. We are improving regularly. Kerala team is good. They have an experienced coach. It will be a tough fight.”

“Kerala crowd will not be a problem. We have a habit of playing in front of packed gallery. We will definitely bring a good result.”

Meanwhile, East Bengal played four matches in the Durand Cup. The Kolkata club won one, lost one, and drew twice in the tournament.

Speaking on the team’s performance, the gaffer said, “I am never fully satisfied. We won a match in Durand Cup. But that competition was like four exhibition matches for us. We didn’t try to qualify for the next stage. For the first 11 days, I just focused on physical training. The real purpose was to keep ourselves fit. It’s still going on. The Durand Cup means nothing to me without a trophy.”