SHILLONG: Stung by injuries, Shillong Lajong FC will have their task cut out when they take on Pailan Arrows in a Group A match of the Federation Cup in Jamshedpur on Sunday.
It would be a must-win game for the Reds who are placed second in the Group behind table-toppers Dempo.
A win against Pailan will take Lajong, who went down to Dempo in the last match, to the semi final of the tournament.
Despite being plagued by injuries, SLFC head coach, Desmond Bulpin expressed confidence that the boys will put up a good show. “I believe in my boys. They will fight till the end.”
Adding that it would be a crucial tie for the team’s chances of proceeding further, Bulpin said, “The boys performed extremely well against Mumbai and Dempo and hopefully they would continue to show their strength and display a stunning performance against Pailan Arrows.”
This would be the third encounter between Lajong and Pailan Arrows and the Reds had emerged victorious on the two previous encounters. Meanwhile, the pitch at the JRD Tata Complex and the adjoining Keenan Stadium has continued to play a spoilsport and would be a cause of concern as the teams take to the field on Sunday. “The pitch is not in a good condition at all”, the Lajong coach said. Pailan Arrows coach Arthur Papas also echoed a similar view following the match at the adjoining Keenan Stadium and had reportedly threatened to boycott the match against Shillong Lajong on Sunday.
However, the AIFF, in what seemed to be a face-saving act, said that the Aussie never made any such statement.
“Pailan Arrows have every intention of playing the final Group League match on September 23 (against Shillong Lajong FC) in order to try and proceed to the semifinals”, an AIFF staement said on Saturday.
Coaches of four teams, including Shillong Lajong Pailan and I-league champions Dempo SC, had on Friday expressed dissatisfaction over the soggy and slippery ground conditions at Jamshedpur. (Agencies)