To face Dempo on Friday in first home game
SHILLONG: With two losses in the opening two matches in their debut season of the I-League, Rangdajied United FC coach Santosh Kashyap is hoping for a much improved performance from his team when they take on Goan giants Dempo SC in their first home match on Friday at 2:30pm.
“We are a new team playing in the I-League. The fans will have to be patient to see the team perform to its full potential,” Kashyap said while addressing newsmen here on Tuesday.
He said that even teams like Dempo are struggling in the initial stages of the league.
Rangdajied are at the bottom of the points table, but Dempo are only 10th in the 13-team table with one point, having lost a game and drawn one.
“I hope that the team will bounce back in the coming matches. We have talented local players who are performing to their capabilities,” Kashyap said, adding, “The level of play in the I-League is higher than that of the Second Division and my players are getting used to it.”
The Rangdajied coach, however, felt that in the I-League foreigners make the “cutting edge”.
According to him, the foreign recruits in the squad are not yet fully match-fit as they joined late.
He also said that his style of play is different from what the players are used to.
“These players are used to the short passing game but my game is the direct attacking strategy,” the RUFC coach said.
Kashyap also said that he was satisfied with the defending and the midfield play of his team but said that attacking still lacked “punch”.
Moreover, Rangdajied United captain Eugeneson Lyngdoh said that the local players in the team are eager to perform in front of their own fans.
“I hope they (the players) are capable to bringing out what is expected of them,” Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, the Vice-President of the Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) B Diengdoh informed that the sale of tickets for Friday’s game against Dempo will start from Wednesday afternoon.
The tickets have been priced at Rs 80, Rs 100, Rs 200 and Rs 400.
The tickets will be available at the Shillong Sports Association counters at Polo Grounds and also in leading stores in the city and other parts of the state.
Sporting Clube de Goa arrive in city
Meanwhile, Sporting Clube de Goa arrived in the city on Tuesday in preparation for their third round I-League encounter against Shillong Lajong FC on Saturday.
Lajong, third in the standings, will host Sporting Clube at the JN Stadium at 3:30pm.
Like fellow Goan team Dempo, Sporting Clube de Goa have drawn one match and lost one, which leaves them ninth in the points table.