SHILLONG: After a month long break, the I-League is back as an in form Pune FC side hosts North Easterners, Shillong Lajong FC in a Round 21match at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune on Sunday.
Derrick Pereira’s side is currently in the top four of the League table with 33 points in its kitty, while the Shillong outfit lies in the 11th position with 19 points from 20 games played so far.
Edinho who joined Lajong on a short team loan from Blackburn Rovers and has showed early signs of goal-scoring abilities (netting 4 in a friendly) will be playing his first game for the Reds in the I-League.
Excited over the encounter, the 18-year-old Portuguese said, “I would rather see the team win than worry about getting a goal. I want to celebrate with all my team mates the collective success at the end of the season”.
“People always have had big expectations from me but I don’t feel any pressure because I love my job and work very hard every day to bring joy to people scoring goals. I love that pressure because I find it very positive.”
Coach Thangboi Singto said that the break was utilised to treat and recuperate the injured players and also to maintain fitness and work on tactical aspects of the game.
“The addition of Edinho has brought more strength and has added that attacking spark to the team,” he added.
Singto however cautioned his boys that Pune FC is a very organised and well managed team, which can win against any side in the I-League.
“We respect the team and we are ready to give our best”, he said.
The Reds who still have few injury concerns are looking forward for a good game on Sunday.
The match will be telecast live on Ten Action at 7 pm.
Meanwhile, an injury-hit Dempo will have to tighten their defence if they are to beat Sporting Clube de Goa in their 21st round I-League match, to be played at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa, Goa on Sunday.
Dempo, who haven’t played well of late that saw them slip to third place with 35 points from 19 matches, seven points behind leaders Churchill Brothers Sports club, will have to reshuffle their defence against Sporting, who are high on confidence after beating Salgaocar 3-1.
Defenders Mahesh Gawli, Valerian Rebelo and Samir Naik, who are nursing injuries, will skip the match and coach Armando Colaco will have to replace them with their reserves Selwyn Fernandes and Prathamesh Maulingkar who has been taken on loan from Pailan Arrows.
Sporting Clube de Goa are on a high after registering four wins on the trot and have conceded just one goal.
They have 26 points from 20 matches and have moved to the 8th position.
Sporting’s coach is happy the way his team is fairing. “We have done lot of harwork and intensive training and the result is coming. The boys are now mentally strong to take the strongest team and tomorrow is another challenge against Dempo who have beaten us 5-0 and are fighting for the title,” said Sporting coach Oscar Bruzon Barreras.
Bagan keen on win vs Arrows
Relegation-wary Mohun Bagan may miss the services of ace striker Odafa Okolie in their round 21 I-League fixture against Pailan Arrows in Kalyani on Sunday. The Nigerian is recovering from a bout of fever and defender Ibor Khongjee, too, is down with the same ailment. The team will also miss defender Nirmal Chhetri who is suspended with four bookings. (Agencies)
