Coming off a disappointing last season, SC East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC both stressed on the importance of winning the first match as they kick off their campaign in the Indian Super League here on Sunday.
East Bengal will be determined to put the demons of last season behind them, having finished in the ninth position after winning only three out of the 20 matches. Jamshedpur FC settled for the sixth position after seven wins and as many losses in the previous season. The Red Miners though missed out on a semi-final spot by a margin of only four points.
East Bengal have looked exciting in pre-season under coach Jose Manuel Diaz and will be keen to replicate that against Jamshedpur when their season begins at the Tilak Maidan.
He said SC East Bengal will leave no stone unturned in their effort to bag three points from their opener.
"For us, the most important is the first match for gaining confidence," Diaz said on the eve of the game.
Asked about the Kolkata Derby against ATK Mohun Bagan being the next match, the former Real Madrid Castilla boss said: "We are not thinking about the derby just yet. After the pre-season, we are hopeful of doing well in the first official match."
Diaz, with assistant coach Angel Puebla Garcia translating for him, added that the team is prepared to adapt to any situation.