By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong would aim for nothing short of a win when they take on Air India in a crucial 14th round match of the I-League in Pune on Saturday.
In what would be the first match of the second leg, the Boys in Red from Shillong would look to complete the unfinished task from Imphal where the Airmen held them to a goalless draw despite the former dominating the proceedings throughout the match.
“It’s a must win game for us. Unfortunately we could not pull off a win at Imphal despite being the better team. But that would definitely play in their (Air India’s) minds and could work to our advantage,” Lajong coach Pradyum Reddy told The Shillong Times.
Reddy however cautioned that “since then (the last match with Lajong) Air India has moved on and played some good matches beating teams like Dempo and Sporting Clube de Goa in their way up to the eighth position.”
The match is even more vital for Lajong given the fact that Air India, sitting on 19 points and also ahead in the number of goals scored, could hurt Lajong’s chances towards the end of the season if they romp to a victory on Saturday.
“All matches in the 2nd leg are very important and the easiest way to make things work is to go out there and win,” Reddy said in a lighter vein.
Both Lajong and Air India lost their previous I-league encounters with Salgaocar and East Bengal respectively and would be determined to start the second leg on a positive note.
PTI adds from Margao
and Kolkata
In other matches, Dempo resume their title charge of the I-league against Chirag United while United Sports Club play HAL, Bangalore in Round 14 ties on Saturday.
Dempo, at the top of the pool with 27 points, however, will do well to remember their last league clash which they lost to Prayag United 1-2.
Assistant coach Mauricio Afonso said, “It is not just that a couple of players misfired or that a particular department had an off day. The entire team was a failure and it was there for all to see,”.
“We have to now bounce back and judging from the mood of the players during training, I am confident that they will live up to the billing. They are all professionals, know what is expected of them and I am sure we will secure a win against Chirag United Kerala,” said Afonso, a former India captain.
He felt that Chirag United, despite being in the relegation zone, are fast improving and will create some problems for the hosts.
“They are doing well. They will come here with some confidence after winning their last league match (against Mumbai FC). I am expecting a tough contest,” he said.
Chirag United Kerala are currently placed 12th with 11 points in their kitty. But the recent signings and their impressive 2-0 win over Mumbai FC in the last match should give coach Pakeer Ali plenty of confidence.
Meanwhile, having suffered 11 losses and two draws in the first leg, the HAL is clearly the weakest among the 14 teams, and United SC coach Sanjoy Sen is aware of that.
Sen has warned against complacency and is looking at the match as a must-win priority if the team aspires a top-five finish.
“Compared to the other teams HAL seems weaker but no one can say what is going to happen in a game of football. The I-League results in the past few weeks have been surprising.”