East Bengal under-15 is determined to win the Southeast Asian leg of Manchester United Premier Cup in Singapore on Friday and Saturday on the lines of arch rival Mohun Bagan's success last year.
In 2006, Mohun Bagan under-15 rubbed shoulders with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Christiano Ronaldo after they went to play the final round in Manchester after winning the Southeast Asian leg.
"We are ready to put up a fine performance in Singapore. The guys are in fine shape. I don't think there is any doubt as why we can't do the same thing what Mohun Bagan did," East Bengal coach Swaroop Das told IANS over telephone from Singapore.
East Bengal, which defeated Mahindra United in the Indian leg of the Manchester Cup in January, left for Singapore on Tuesday.
If the Kolkata team wins in Singapore, where teams from Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia will also take part, it may find itself in the august company of Rooney and Christiano in August when the final round will be played in Manchester.
Mohun Bagan, however, failed to create any spark in the final round in Britain last year.
{{/usCountry}}Mohun Bagan, however, failed to create any spark in the final round in Britain last year.
{{/usCountry}}"It is a great chance for budding footballers as they are the future of the game in the country. If they win the Southeast Asia leg, they will have a life-time opportunity to interact with some of the best of the world," said Das.