SHILLONG: With three defeats in a row, Shillong Lajong FC would have a lot to play for when they take on the formidable Mohun Bagan in a Round 24 I-League match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The last time both sides clashed, the encounter ended in a goalless draw in Imphal. However, not many things have gone right for the Reds and the Kolkata giants since then. Three losses in the last three outings meant that Lajong had to give up any hopes of making it to the better part of the standings while three draws in a row for Mohun Bagan dashed their title hopes for the season.
Shillong Lajong coach Pradhyum Reddy underlined the importance of winning full points to avoid any slim chance of relegation.
“Arithmetically, we have not saved relegation yet. If we get a result here, it will put an end to all doubts,” Reddy said.
“It is equally important that we win atleast one point tomorrow. They are a big team. We need to remember they will be playing in Kolkata. But we are banking on our strengths,” he said.
Reddy minced no words when he said that considering the budget teams like Mohun Bagan have, Lajong can be considered minnows in comparision.
“Having said that, if we do justice to our potential, it should be a good contest tomorrow,” he said.
Reddy pointed out that the teams which had to travel the most this season, which includes Mumbai FC and Chirag United, apart from Lajong, are the ones lingering at the bottom of the table.
“We are not trying to offer excuses, but the fact is that it takes a lot out to travel that extensively and be 100 per cent match fit the next day,” Reddy added .
Hosts Mohun Bagan on the other hand would be eyeing full points from their remaining three matches for a top five finish.
The home side will have a full-strength squad at their disposal with the exception of Rakesh Masih who pulled a muscle in today’s practice session.
Anwar Ali stay all set to return to the backline while Sunil Chettri, Hudson d’Lima, Jewel Raja and Manish Bhargav are likely to start as the four midfielders.
Upfront, Jose Ramirez Barreto will partner the talismanic Odafa Okolie.
Mohun Bagan striker Ashim Biswas hoped to finish the season on a high. “We intend to win all our remaining matches and finish in the top-half,” he said.
The Kolkata giants lie on fifth place (40 points from 23 matches) while Lajong are placed 10th (27/23). (Agencies)