SHILLONG: One of Indian football’s biggest spenders, Prayag United, will host Shillong Lajong FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday, in what will be the 25th round of the I-league.
This is scheduled to be the only match of the day and will be broadcast live on Ten Action at 3:30pm.
This will also be Lajong’s penultimate game of the season, and the Reds will take nothing less than a win against a side that they beat 3-2 in Shillong, in a pulsating encounter towards the start of the season last year.
SLFC, however, have yet to win an away match this season and fourth-placed Prayag will be tough opponents.
The Reds are coming into the match after a morale-boosting 2-0 win against Mumbai FC, and will seek to carry their good form to Kolkata as well, having fared quite well against the top three Kolkatan sides (unbeaten against Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Prayag United thus far).
Prayag United will be quite upbeat about their form too, having thumped Pailan Arrows 4-1 last Friday and it will surely make for an interesting and even encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Shillong Lajong coach Thangboi Singto said, “It is a crucial game and it is very important to get three points.
“We need to go with the right approach and give a good performance. The best line-up will take the field.”
Prayag coach Eelco Schattorie, on the other hand, said his team will look to finish in the top bracket.
“A win would give us the points to do that,” the Dutchman said.
“Our opponents have shown lot of improvement in the last few matches. They are a talented side and have the potential to surprise anyone in the tournament.”