Lajong take on Pune FC tomorrow
On a high after its victory over five-time champions Dempo in the opening encounter of the seventh edition of the Airtel I-League, Shillong Lajong FC is all set to face last year’s runners-up Pune FC on Sunday in the first home match of the season.
The Reds had secured a rare away win against the formidable Dempo who went down 0-3 in their home turf in the last match while Pune FC got the better of qualifiers Mohammedan Sporting in the lung opener. Already among points, both sides will look to carry the momentum forward with a win on Sunday.
Despite a winning start Lajong coach Thangboi Singto is in no mood to be complacent. “The previous game is history and we have a new match at hand on Sunday. The preparation is on track and we hope for a good first home match,” Singto said while addressing a press conference here on Friday.
Singto denied that there would be any added pressure on the Reds playing in front of the home crowd for the first time this season. “Pressure and challenge is the same everywhere (home or away). How we take the game mentally and physically on a given day will decide the outcome,” the SLFC coach said.
The coach also informed that there are no injury issues in the squad as of now.
The Lajong forward line has received a boost with the arrival of Trinidad and Tobago international Cornell Glen and Brazilian Uilliams Bomfin Souza Silva, both of whom played a crucial role in the team’s victory over Dempo. Reacting to a query on the improvement in the forward line Singto said that it was “too early in the season to say anything on that.”
Pune FC, who arrived on September 23, much ahead of Sunday’s match, will miss out on the services of striker Raul Fabiani who was handed a suspension. Pune FC Mike Snoei however, took the attack to the home side stating that the pressure would be on Lajong to perform in front of their vocal supporters.
While admitting that missing Fabiani would be a big blow to the team Snoei said his side was still a confident lot ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
SLFC coach Singto hoped for a sizeable turnout on Sunday. “The crowd should come out to see good football,” he said.
Both Pune and Lajong are sitting on three points each.
The second round I-League match would begin at 3.30 pm on Sunday.