SHILLONG: The 28-member squad of Ar-Hima FC left for Silchar on Friday to participate in the 2nd Division I-League preliminary round which is scheduled to start from February 1.
Considered among the premier clubs of Shillong, Ar-Hima has announced its serious intentions about making it to the next level and the recent signings of Bhola Prasad from HAL, Mintu Saha from Mumbai FC and Japanese striker Taiki Matsumara (who had played with the New Zealand football club Boy’s Olympic) are testimony to the fact.
Apart from AR-Hima, Royal Wahingdoh FC and Langsning FC are the two other clubs from Shillong who would feature in the 2nd Division League.
All the three clubs from Shillong are in separate groups. Royal Wahingdoh would play its preliminary round in Cuttack, Odisha while Langsning FC are off to New Delhi.
While speaking to reporters before leaving for Silchar, Ar-Hima coach Subrata Bhattacharya said that he was satisfied with the team’s preparation going into the league.
“The present team is much better then the side which played last year and I hope our boys would be at their best to help the team qualify for the I-League,” Bhattacharya said.
When asked on the team lacunae which he would like to improve, Bhattacharya said that the left back is still the main area of concern.
The squad: F. Vanlalhruaia, Markus Basumatry, Surjay Kumar Pariyar, Ennyinaya Loveday , Dapbor Bareh, Restomwell Khriam, Surjit Singh, Poibiang Pohshna, Kamal Thapa, Shankar Singh, Bhola Prasad, Babatunde Badmus , David Lalthansanga, Bansharai Sun, Stephan Lanong, Kelechi Okoye , Bikash jairu, Nagen Tamang, Robin Gurung, Pyn S Shadap, S Meitei, Thomas Saikhom, Kyrshan Lyngshing, Salvit Tongper, Kamwamutlang Sumer, Mintu Saha, T Matsumura and Ericson Lyngdoh.