I-League: Bharat FC all set to host Shillong Lajong FC in exciting encounter

Dipendu Dowary and Syed Rahim Nabi practice on the eve of Bharat FC's game against Shillong Lajong FC

Bharat FC will be hoping for a change in fortunes as they ready to host Shillong Lajong FC in a Hero I-League round 18 encounter at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge-Balewadi on Sunday evening.

The Lions have not enjoyed a good run of results in April, having lost two consecutive games in the space of a week. Since holding Pune FC to a 1-1 draw at the beginning of the month, Bharat FC have lost 0-3 against East Bengal FC and then went down 2-0 against Mohun Bagan AC in Kolkata.

Bharat FC are currently in tenth position in the Hero I-League with 11 points from 12 games. Their opponents on Sunday, Shillong Lajong FC, are tied with the Lions on points but sit in ninth place by the virtue of superior goal difference. The side from Shillong played out a 1-1 draw against cross-town rivals Royal Wahingdoh FC in the previous round.

Bharat FC’s head coach, Stuart Watkiss, said that though results have not gone his side’s way, he is confident of an upswing in fortunes. “A week is a long time in football. After putting on a very confident and encouraging performance against Pune FC, we have lost two games in succession.”

“Defeats are always hard to take but I expect the lads to use the past two games as a learning experience. Yes, we committed a couple of mistakes and we got punished. That is football, but if you learn from these mistakes and ensure that you don’t repeat them, then you have gained something from those defeats,” he said.

The lack of goals in the last two games is a cause of worry for Watkiss but the head coach was upbeat on his side’s forward play and said that he was confident that the scoring touch would reappear very soon.

“Against East Bengal and Mohun Bagan we created a number of chances, good chances. Both those teams are good sides but our midfield and forwards were able to trouble them. Over the past week, we have placed special emphasis on our finishing off good attacking play, working the goalkeeper and getting the ball in good areas. I am positive that we will score goals and be much more dangerous in the attacking third,” he said.

The Lions’ head coach has his full squad for selection barring Adil Khan, J Prasad and Lester Fernandez, all three out with long term injuries. “We have kept our options open as far as team selection is concerned. We have a few players who have the capability to play different roles over the pitch.”

“We are exploring a few options in terms of the formations that we can play and I am confident that whatever team we put out, it will work towards earning a positive result for us,” he said.

Shillong Lajong FC’s head coach, Thangboi Singto, said that he expected a tough 90 minutes on Sunday but was confident that his team had enough in the tank to give Bharat FC a run for their money.

“We did not have the best start to the season but we have improved now. We had a big win (0-6 Mumbai FC) and that has set us up really nicely. There is renewed confidence in the team and as our recent results have shown, we are hitting our stride,” he said. Seminlen Doungel will be missing out on the match for Lajong due to suspension.

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Edited by Staff Editor