By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Mariners will host Shillong Lajong FC in the 22nd round of the I-League, to be played at the Kalyani Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday at 2pm.
The Kolkata outfit won 3-2 against the AIFF developmental side, Pailan Arrows, last weekend but are still at the bottom of the I-League table with nine points.
Shillong Lajong, on the other hand, were held to a 2-2 draw by Pune FC on Sunday and are in the 10th position with 20 points.
The Shillong side defeated Mohun Bagan 2-0 in the first round of the I-League at home last year and will look to repeat the same performance and secure all three points in order to improve their position in the league.
Thursday’s game promises to be very exciting considering Karim Bencherifa’s men are sure to put up a good fight, while SLFC’s Edinho Junior, who is on loan with the club, could be a surprise factor for the visitors. Edinho scored both of Lajong’s goals in Pune.
The two opponents showed a lot of keenness ahead of their upcoming meeting and utilised a practice session on Wednesday.
Coach Thangboi Singto said, “We are hoping for a win against Mohun Bagan tomorrow.
“I hope that the boys will continue to have the fighting spirit in them and repeat their inaugural game performance,” he added.
“We do not have any major injury worries or suspension problems and hope that the boys do much better than the good performance against Pune in the last match,” Singto said.
Bagan will be without their ace striker Odafa Okolie, who has a fever.
“Doctors have suggested a period of rest for his full recovery and we will make an assessment of his condition on the day of the match,” Bencherifa said.
“Tolgay (Ozbey) is scoring goals and that is a positive thing for the side,” he said about his striker, who found form with two goals in their win over Pailan.
The match will be live on Ten Action at 2pm. (with PTI inputs)