Lajong look to avoid fifth straight loss

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SHILLONG: Under pressue after four successive defeats, Shillong Lajong FC host Prayag United in a Round 25 I-League match at the JN Stadium here on Sunday.

Fresh from a massive 1-6 defeat against Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan, Lajong have come under criticism from their disappointed fans. And the Reds have a tough task at hand against fancied Prayag sitting seventh at 39 points from 24 outings.

“Prayag is a strong side and they are unbeaten at home we will look forward to earn full points and if the match ends in a draw it will be an improvement” Lajong coach Pradhyum Reddy said.

Lajong will be missing the service of Lalchuanmawia as he is nursing injury while Lalramluaha is unlikely to be in the first eleven.

Lajong’s I-League campaign has gone from bad to worse in the last phase. Sitting at 27 points from 20 matches, the team from Shillong was looking good to pip the likes of Air India if not Sporting Clube de Goa. But four losses in a trot meant that Lajong lay stagnant at the bottom half of the table.

A victory on Sunday can bring a much needed respite for them and boost the morale of the team whereas a loss would create further resentment among the fans.

Prayag on the other hand would definitely aim for full three points to edge past the likes of Salgaocar, Churchill Brothers and East Bengal, at least temporarily.

“We will go all out to win the match as it will help us improve our position in the table at the end of the league” said Prayag United coach Sanjoy Sen and added “we will be missing the service of our central defenders Arnab Mondal and Justine Stephen as they are injured”.

The last match betwen Prayag and Lajong ended in a 1-1 draw.

Dempo eager to win title early

Dempo, who have taken a firm grip towards winning the title after their impressive win over Churchill Brothers, now aim to be crowned champions early as they prepare themselves against Sporting Clube de Goa on Sunday in an I-League match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda in Margao.

Dempo, who ended Churchill Brothers title challenge with an impressive 4-2 win, are seven points clear of Pune FC and nine points ahead of East Bengal who have played one match less than Dempo.

Dempo coach Armando Colaco is hoping that his boys will continue to play in the same vein against Sporting tomorrow to garner full points as a win will place them comfortably to set up title clash against East Bengal here on April 20. (Agencies)

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