BANGALORE: Despite losing their first ever I-League match last week to United SC, Rangdajied United FC did not acquit themselves badly on their entry to the the top tier of Indian football and will get a chance to register their first points when they meet Bengaluru FC here on Sunday.
RUFC pushed United SC hard in the first half of their match in Kolkata, before the more experienced outfit won with two goals in the second half.
Captain Eugeneson Lyngdoh and goalkeeper Surjay Paryar were among the players who impressed for Rangdajied in their debut match.
Playing on their home turf, Bengaluru had a very successful I-League debut, holding mighty Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw.
They will have home advantage again against Rangdajied, but their coach Ashley Westwood is still wary of the Shillong club.
“They are a team from the North East with a lot of local boys and we know how strong they can be. Also, they have a manager with a good reputation. It should be a good match,” said Westwood.
Rangdajied United coach Santosh Kashyap said his boys will bounce back after their debut I-League game ended in defeat.
“The boys are talented and strong, it’s just tactically that we need to improve. We realise that there is a vast difference between playing in I-League Two and the I-League,” Kashyap said.
Bengaluru FC are without any injury woes but will miss midfielder Thoi Singh who was sent off in the game against Bagan.
Meanwhile, Rangdajied United are sweating over the recovery of experienced defender Lamine Tamba who is coping with a muscle niggle.
Although the Rangdajied boys are playing thousands of miles away, their fans can watch the match, live on Ten Action at 4pm.
That is half an hour after the start of the match between Shillong Lajong FC and Pune FC at the JN Stadium, Polo, the first League match in the city this season.
Two other matches will also be held on Sunday.
United SC will be looking for another win when they meet Sporting Clube de Goa in Kolkata.
Dempo, who lost at home to Lajong last week, will go up against Mumbai FC in Pune. (with PTI inputs)
