SHILLONG: Playing in their maiden season of the I-League, Rangdajied United FC will face a trial by fire as they take on United SC in Kolkata on Sunday, their first ever match in Indian football’s top tier.
The match will start at 2:45pm at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Shillong can also boast of a second I-League outfit in Shillong Lajong FC, who will be start their 2013-14 I-League campaign halfway across the country in Mapusa, Goa, against Dempo SC at the Duler Stadium at 4pm.
Formerly known as Ar-Hima, Rangdajied became the third club from the North East in the league, after SLFC and United Sikkim.
While they do have big names in their squad, they can boast of a successful coach in Santosh Kashyap, who has previously coached Air India and ONGC.
In their foreigners quota, the club have roped in Senegalese defender Lamine Tamba and Brazilian striker Edmar Figueira, both of whom have experience of playing in India.
The first target for Rangdajied will undoubtedly be to remain in the I-League and coach Kashyap has been honest about it.
“Our first objective will be definitely to remain in the I-League and then we’ll see how far we can adjust,” Kashyap said.
United SC have been hit hard by the loss of sponsor Prayag, but managed to retain Nigerian striker Ranty Martins, the top scorer in the League for the last three years, as well as Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie, who guided the side to their first IFA Shield triumph last season.
“We have started late and the boys are not still fully match-fit. In the first few matches, we will fight to survive. Let’s see how the season turns out to be,” Schattorie said at a pre-match press conference.
Dempo await Lajong
Meanwhile, Lajong, who did not have an enviable away record last season, will face a tough outing against Dempo.
The Reds only won one of their away matches last year and that came right at the end of the season.
However, the mood in the team is positive and coach Thangboi Singto admitted that a good start to the season is important to his team.
“It is an important match, because the outcome will set the tone for the rest of the season,” Singto was quoted as saying on the SLFC website.
“We expect it to be an exciting encounter and we will give it our all, as a good result will set the ball rolling for our team, for the rest of the season.”
Singto also said that all the players are fit for selection and added that he expects the moral support of the fans back home.
Speaking at a press conference in Goa, Singto said, “Its always been a jinx coming to Goa to play against them (Goan teams).
“I think the last match we won against a Goan team here was when we beat Sporting Clube de Goa 1-0 in the 2009-10 season.
“Dempo are a formidable side who have won the league title a record number of times but we are optimistic of getting a positive result,” stated Singto.
Lajong have had a busy transfer season, having signed up Cornell Glen and Uilliams Souza Silva to make up their foreign quota.
They have also roped in striker Subash Singh, midfielder Milan Singh, defender Robin Gurung, along with two goalkeepers – Vinay Singh and Kunzang Bhutia.
Dempo’s last season was marred by controversies, injuries and several off-field issues that saw the club failing to retain the I-League title and finish fifth in the table.
That resulted in 30 players, including seasoned Climax Lawerence, Anthony Pereira and Joaquim Abranches losing their places.
With coach Arthur Papas, who made a name for himself at Pailon Arrows, at the helm, the blue brigade are are determined to regain the title.
Bengaluru host Bagan
In the other match of the day, Bengaluru FC, another I-League debutant team, will host legendary Mohun Bagan at the Bangalore Football Stadium also at 4pm.
Bengaluru FC were given direct entry (rather than having to qualify like Rangdajied and Mohammedan Sporting) into the I-League this season.
They can boast of Indian national captain Sunil Chhetri and are coached by former English Premier League player Ashley Westwood.
Bagan finished 10th last season, one point ahead of Lajong.
Their season was marred by controversy after they skipped the second half of a match against East Bengal after crowd violence resulted in an injury to their player Syed Rahim Nabi.
They were initially banned from the League, but were given a reprieve, although they lost all the points they had earned up to that match. (with agency inputs)