Dibrugarh, July 2: Twenty players of Oil India Ltd (OIL) will be on a 15-day “exposure trip” to Calcutta beginning July 15 to play against top-ranking teams like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Chirag United and Mohameddan Sporting.

After the team’s below-par performance in the final of the prestigious Garodia Gold Cup, the management wants “not only to regain OIL’s dominance in state football but also to gain a foothold at the national level”.

A source associated with the team management said coach Subrata Bhattacharjee was the man behind the management’s decision.

“We have made all necessary arrangements for the team’s practice at the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) ground in Calcutta. We have hired the ground for 15 days. Our players, coach and officials will stay at a central government guest house nearby,” the source said.

“Top national coaches like Subhas Bhowmick and Shabbir Ali have assured to train our boys. We are expecting to reap rich dividends from the trip. It will be of great help to the team and will give our boys some much-needed exposure,” he added.

OIL, despite having some quality players, lost to Assam State Electricity Board Sports Club (ASEB-SC) in the final of the 14th edition of Garodia Gold Cup in Dibrugarh recently.

Among the new recruits, strikers F. Wary and Mintu Boro have impressed soccer experts and spectators for their speed and stamina. In the final of Garodia Gold Cup, the new players were unable to co-ordinate with their seasoned colleagues though the team made several goalmouth moves during the dying moments of the match.

“We have identified the mistakes which cost us the match and are trying to rectify the errors. The boys have to learn how to perform under pressure while playing crucial matches,” OIL official Ramesh Phukon said.

Forward Mrinal Boro’s injury, however, crippled the team. He played a pivotal role in helping Assam win gold at the National Games.

Another deciding factor was the absence of Mizo recruit Lalmaunpuia, who joined ONGC this year.