Chennaiyin FC and Mohun Bagan frontman Jeje Lalpekhlua is hoping to carry his terrific Hero Indian Super League 2015 form into the Hero I-League as Bengaluru FC host Mohun Bagan at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. It is set to be a fascinating encounter as defending champions Mohun Bagan look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against 2014 winners Bengaluru FC. Bengaluru currently occupy the top spot in the table with 15 points from seven matches, while the Mariners sit third in the table having taken 11 points from their five matches so far.“I did have a reasonable run of good form in the ISL, but for me it was more important that the teams I played for were the Champions [Chennaiyin FC in the ISL and Mohun Bagan in the I-League]. There is no better feeling than to become champions, and if you can also achieve some personal targets along the way that is good. I hope I can keep scoring,” Jeje told indiansuperleague.com ahead of the match.Jeje, who also won the SAFF Cup with the national team early this year, is satisfied with his exploits on the pitch so far but believes it will bring the added burden of expectation from fans as he looks to help the Mariners emulate last season’s heroics.“Last year was a very lucky and special year for me. It was my first year playing in Kolkata and Mohun Bagan were able to lift the I-League. Then to win the ISL 2015 with Chennaiyin FC at the end of December and the SAFF Cup in early January, both within a period of two weeks. Well, it couldn't have been better. However going into this season, last season’s title for Mohun Bagan means nothing as every team starts on equal points. In fact, we have the added burden and pressure of being labelled as the champions, so we have to live up to our reputation,” the 25-year-old said. Having made a strong start to the season by taking 11 points out of a possible 15, Mohun Bagan remain one of the favourites to retain the I-League title. However, Jeje is quick to stress the need of maintaining the winning momentum. “This season so far has been a good start for us but the league is short and we have to keep doing well. Any team winning or losing two matches can move a number of places up or down the I-League table. We have had additional matches in between, in the AFC Champions League Qualifying stages, so it’s not been easy as we are playing a match every few days. I would also like to mention that it’s good to see a large number of fans turn up for the matches in Kolkata, not only for the derby match but also for other matches.” said Jeje.The striker, who scored six goals and made three assists in Season 2 of the Hero ISL for the Super Machans, also believes that while Saturday’s encounter against Bengaluru FC may not be a title decider, it is nonetheless a crucial match with both teams occupying the top half of the league table.“As I mentioned the I-League is just 16 matches and every match counts. There have already been a few surprises in the I-League but one match cannot decide the title race. This being said three points are at stake and both teams are near the top of the table, so it is three critical points to play for. “I have no prediction going into any game. I just hope I can do my best and help my team to win the match,” Jeje concluded.
