By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC will have to go all out to earn for full points when they take on Pailan Arrows in the sixth round of the I-League in Imphal on Saturday.
Lajong, who lost a golden opportunity to register their second win of the tournament here against Air India, would be hoping for an improved show at the Khuman Lampak Stadium against the team from Bengal.
Though Pailan do not boost of an impressive record in the I-League so far, Lajong coach Pradyum Reddy says “there is no room for complacency.”
“It’s a must win game for us and at this level any team can surprise you. For instance Air India had stunned Salgaocar earlier in the tournament,” Reddy said.
The bigger challenge that the team from Shillong, which is known for its attacking football, faces is to overcome the defensive tactics of their opponents.
“Teams adopt a defensive approach while playing Lajong. Perhaps our success in the Federation Cup and other tournaments in the past few months triggered the strategy,” the Lajong coach said.
Marred by injuries of late, there was some good news for Lajong which would be fielding an almost full-strength squad against Pailan on Saturday.
“Henry would be fit by two weeks and Ibor has recovered fully,” Reddy said.
Asked about how the players keep themselves motivated throughout the long I-League season, Reddy said at this level the players are professional enough to handle the demands of the game.
“Playing away from home is a part and parcel of the game. You have foreign players and coaches who leave their families behind for long periods. So as a professional footballer it is equally important to be mentally tough in order to play long seasons away,” the Lajong coach said.
