Shillong Lajong FC look to end the tournament on a positive note against Mohun Bagan

File photo of the Shillong Lajong team before the start of the Federation Cup

Lajong are all set to end the last group B fixture of the 36th Federation Cup on a good note, when they take on Mohun Bagan at the Tilak Maidan in Goa on the 6th of January, Tuesday at 4:00pm.

Shillong Lajong FC are having a bitter campaign in this year’s Federation Cup; nevertheless the Lajong gaffer intends to end their last match on a high, before the team returns home to prepare for the first Shillong I-League derby this season, scheduled to kick off on the 18th of January.

In Lajong’s previous fixture against Bengaluru FC, coach Thangboi Singto fielded as many as 6 Lajong junior players in the starting eleven. The Blues however edged past the Reds by a solitary goal courtesy a strike by Robin Singh which helped his side earn the three crucial points.

The Meghalayan club’s head coach will be determined to continue with a combination of the experienced players in the form of - Aibor, Robin, Milan, Seiminlen, Durga Boro alongside the “young guns” in the form of the Lajong junior boys like Rupert Nongrum, Lalrammuana, Pritam Kumar, Sandeep Singh, and Nim Dorjee to name a few.

The Lajong strikers need to find their scoring touch and build on their reputation by netting goals as no one has been able to register their names on the score sheet which is one of the main reasons for their poor run in the Federation Cup.

The defence has stood strong, although there were some glitches on a few occasions, but will have to be more careful tomorrow as Mohun Bagan have been bolstered by the likes of Balwant Singh, Katsumi Yusas and Jeje among the other capable lot, who have the mettle to net a few goals for their team.

The Lajong midfield will need to produce some attacking display and act more decisively and more importantly try to make the most of the opportunities that come their way on the pitch.

Head coach Thangboi Singto spoke to the Club media manager and expressed his expectation for tomorrow’s match. He said, “ I hope the boys give their best again as the team will like to end the Federation Cup on a good note.”

Speaking on the junior boys he commented, “The junior players like Vishal, Dorjee, Jacob, Muana, Pritam, Joseph, Rupert and Bipin have shown that they can compete at this level and more games will help them grow as a player. I hope they continue to exhibit consistency to get play matches in the upcoming I-League.”

The opposition meanwhile are coming into the match after a 4-1 defeat to Salgaocar with Cameroonian striker Pierre Boya scoring the only goal for the green-and-maroon brigade. Mohun Bagan have managed to have a decent campaign at this edition of the Federation Cup collecting two points; a goalless draw against the I-League Champions Bengaluru FC and another draw against Pune FC, apart from that loss to Salgaocar.

Sanjoy Sen’s side is likely to continue with their top guns in the form of Balwant Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Pierre Boya upfront who will look to nab some goals and live up to the expectations of their fans back home. Sony Norde and Yusa Katsumi will most likely be attacking from the wings while Denson and Lalkamal Bhowmick will line-up in the center of the park.

At the heart of the defense, will be the strong duo of Anwar Ali and Bello Rasaq who will look to thwart all of Lajong’s attempts on goal. The two teams will come out onto the pitch tomorrow with the sole intention – “To Play for Pride”, and walk away with three points in their last Federation Cup sojourn till both sides meet again in the upcoming I-League season which will kick off on the 17th of January 2015.