CALCUTTA, Nov 4: A rejuvenated Mohun Bagan, fresh from the DCM triumph, will be keen to re-establish their supremacy in the 104th IFA Shield football tournament beginning tomorrow.

With coach Amal Dutta's `diamonds' begininng to glitter, the green and maroon brigade seem to start as favourites in what promises to be an exciting tournament of skill and strategy.

With three other strong teams like FC Kochin, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers in the fray, Mohun Bagan can hardly afford to be complacent despite the string of impressive victories in recent tournaments.

Mohun Bagan, who also won the title in the gruelling Calcutta Super Division League this year, open their campaign against another city team Mohammedan Sporting on November 6.

Arch rival East Bengal, who have been struggling to find their peak form yet, play the inaugural match against Churchill Brothers at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium tomorrow.

While Mohun Bagan, FC Cochin and Mohammedan Sporting have been clubbed in one group, the other group features East Bengal, Churchill Brothers and qualifiers Railway FC.

The Nigerian World Cupper Emeka Ezuego, who has come back to India after a hiatus of seven years to don the Mohun Bagan jersey this year, will definitely strengthen Amal Dutta's team which already has the ageing star Chima Okerie in its ranks.

Coach Dutta was quite impressed with Emeka's first-day training and could try out the Nigerian for a brief period in the Shield matches.

East Bengal, keeping the forthcoming National League in mind, have recruited another Brazillian Adal Berto but techincal director PK Banerjee would like to assess him properly before deploying his services. East Bengal's experience with Latin American footballers have not really been memorable so far.

The newly-formed professional club FC Kochin, who registered their maiden title victory by claiming the Durand Cup, would be heavily depending on their mercurial striker IM Vijayan to deliver the goods.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.