I-League 2017/18: Aizawl FC coach Paulo Meneses confident ahead of the Northeast derby

In one of the most-anticipated match-ups of the Hero I-League this season, champions Aizawl FC are all set to host newly promoted side NEROCA tomorrow. The two teams will lock horns at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium and the kick off is scheduled at 2 p.m.

Speaking to the media ahead of the big match, Aizawl FC coach Paulo Meneses stated that his side’s encounter with NEROCA tomorrow will come out in favour of the home side. “I will not fail tomorrow. We will get three points,” said the Portuguese.

“Even if we win by a single goal, I will be happy. Three points is the target.”

However, it is crystal clear that Aizawl FC will sorely miss the service of Afghan defender Masih Saighani and midfield maestro David Lalrinmuana who is yet to recover from his injury. The 31-year-old defender Saighani will miss the game due to suspension and local boy C. Lalrosanga will be ready to fill his boots, Meneses added.

The visitors NEROCA will be playing two consecutive away matches in five days, to which head coach Gift Raikhan admits that his boys will face a tough encounter against the home side.

“In away matches, we travel a lot without proper training. We just came back from Goa and we have very little time to prepare. However, my boys are committed and we are ready for it,” Raikhan explained.

“I cannot predict the outcome of the match but we are going to work hard and give 100 percent,” he added.

The former Indian footballer Raikhan, who happens to have completed his AFC ‘B’ License from Aizawl, also mentioned that he has had many experiences working with Mizo footballers and he considered the match as a homecoming for himself.

The Manipur outfit NEROCA are unbeaten in their last 8 matches and stood third in the table with 18 points while the home side has earned 14 points with a game in hand.