By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: As Royal Wahingdoh FC sets forth to realize its I-League dream, coach Carlton Chapman is optimistic that his team would continue its good form in the upcoming 2nd Division I-League final round so as to qualify for the main edition next season.
“I hope my boys continue to play the same way they did in the preliminary round. If we are able to lift our game in the final round we have a strong chance of making it (to the next season’s I-League),” Chapman said during the send off ceremony for the team organised by Shillong Press Club on Saturday.
Wahingdoh would leave for Siliguri for the Final Round on Sunday and the team from Shillong would be playing its first match against Goa Vasco SC on March 8.
While maintaining that it would not be easy to make the cut in the final round, Chapman hoped that his boys stand up to the big challenge in the month long event.
When asked which are the teams he considered as threat to Wahingdoh’s cause, the coach said that all six teams who would feature in the final are tough sides to beat.
“We have to play well to beat all of them,” he said.
Each of the tems would play twice against each other.
Chapman lamented Wahingdoh’s failure last season after doing exceptionally well in the preliminary round. “The main reason that led to our downfall in the final round is injuries to key players,” he said.
“This time we are lucky since no one is carrying any injury. Moreover, we also have better side this season,” Chapman added.
However, one of the causes of concerns for Wahingdoh could be the heat at Siliguri (one of the venues for the matches).
“The heat would have adverse affect on all the teams,” Chapman said
Interestingly, team owner Dominic Sutnga informed that besides the team physio, they would be taking a local medical practitioner who would help the side to maintain fitness.
“Our players have responsed very well to treatment by the local medical practitioner,” Sutnga said.