EMN
Dimapur, February 26
Shillong Lajong FC will take on Mohun Bagan in the 8th round of the Hero I-League on the 26th of February, Friday at the J.N.Stadium, Shillong at 4:30PM IST.
The Reds come into this match with a vital away win against Dempo Sports Club last week, where they won by a score line of 2-0 as Boithang Haokip and Cornell Glen registered their names on the score sheet.The return of Minchol Son to the starting elven, played a major factor in the clean sheet for Lajong along with a much improved team performance and the home crowd will most likely witness the first home game for Minchol this I-League season on Friday. The home team has a good home record against the Mariners in the I-league and will certainly look to bank on home advantage as thousands of Lajong Faithfuls will throng into the Stadium on Friday. The Diligent Reds will be hoping to seal an important home win and collect all the three crucial points which will be out for grabs tomorrow.
Coach Thangboi Singto is confident that his team are coming in strong towards the match against Mohun bagan with an almost fully fit squad having a pair of aces in his pockets with Minchol Son and Aiborlang Khongjee guarding the back line and the likes of Glen, Boithang, Len and Uilliams on the front.
Head Coach Thangboi Singto said, “It is a very crucial match tomorrow. The boys have been working really hard and we hope to give the best.”
“We have to be stronger at the back and play defensively well and don’t concede an early goal. The players upfront will also need to perform and score goals and help the team win tomorrow’s match”, he added.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan is also coming into this fixture after a big home win over Defending Champions, Bengaluru FC by 4-1. Even though it is early days, the Kolkata side have the reputation of title contenders this season as Sanjoy Sen’s troops seem to be a Strong and a Confident side.
The impressive foreign contingent of Sony Norde, Yusa Katsumi, Pierre Boya & Bello Razaq are all likely to get first team starts in tomorrow’s tie against Lajong. Sanjoy Sen also has on his side, the established Indian Nationals like Balwant Singh and Jeje threatening from the front.
Sanjoy Sen said, “The Reds are a difficult side and to beat Lajong at home will not be an easy task. Ours boys have to step up their game and fight hard to win the match tomorrow”.
Acknowledging the threat of free kick specialist, Boithang haokip, he praised the Lajong midfielder in the pre match press conference and said, “Boithang is a good midfielder and is a great sportsman and a very talented Indian footballer.”
Come this Friday, all roads will lead to Lajong’s Home Fortress, where a tight battle will be contested between North East’s, Shillong Lajong FC and Kolkata Giant outfit McDowell Mohun Bagan.
