SHILLONG: Tenth-placed Shillong Lajong FC will take on United Sikkim, who are 13th, in a 19th round match of the I-League at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Saturday at 2:00pm.
Sikkim hosted Lajong on December 8 last year and held the Shillong club to a goalless draw in the first leg of the North East derby.
With 16 points for SLFC, interim coach Thangboi Singto admitted that Saturday’s match was unlikely to be a walk in the park.
“It is a battle of two North Eastern teams and it will be a tough game. We are looking for nothing less than a win,” Thangboi said.
He also voiced his concerns over the injuries to crucial players, saying, “Injuries are bound to happen and we will be missing our captain Renedy Singh, Govin Singh and Chitrasen (Singh) and Eugene (Lyngdoh) will be out due to suspension.”
United Sikkim, while only having won one match, still have 12 points thanks to nine drawn games and coach Nathan Hall said, “It will be a tough match but we need to win tomorrow. At the moment I am satisfied with the team and the players are very energetic on the pitch.
“The boys were good against Pailan Arrows but we were just unlucky not to take home all three points.
“But there is a lot of improvement right now and the players are working very hard,” he added.
Acknowledging that Lajong will have home support, Sikkim’s coach said, “Shillong Lajong is a very good team and a tough side to beat at home.
“But,” he added, “some of the (Sikkim) players who were injured will be back for tomorrow’s game as they have fully recovered from their injuries and the credit goes to the medical staff,” he concluded.
There is not much history between the two sides. Other than the December match, the two have only met once before, in the 2nd Division I-League in May 2011, a match that ended in a 2-2 draw.
Saturday will be a big day in the League, with four other matches taking place.
Pailan Arrows will host East Bengal, Air India will play Prayag United, Dempo will go up against Mumbai FC and Salgaocar will pay a visit to Pune FC.