SHILLONG: In a huge match for Rangdajied United FC in their maiden I-League campaign, the Blues will take on current table-toppers Salgaocar in an eighth round fixture at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Tuesday at 5:00pm.
The second club from Shillong to reach the top tier of Indian football are still yet to win a match, but can take confidence from their good showing against Dempo and Churchill Brothers earlier at the JN Stadium.
If the Blues’ coach Santosh Kashyap has been boosted by the positive performance from his side in the recent 0-1 away loss to Pune, he has more concern regarding the availability of his key players.
Eugeneson Lyndoh, the skipper, will sit out the match because of a knee injury while Restomwell Khriam is still nursing his hamstring.
Defender Pratik also has a knee injury.
At a pre-match press conference held at the Shillong Press Club here on Monday, Kashyap also revealed that the changing weather conditions may have also resulted in illness befalling his boys.
Elam Abocha Singh, Ambilstar Sun and Nagen Tamang are all down with fever and are in doubt for the contest.
The positive however is the increasing fitness of striker Edmar, who is also gaining confidence with each passing match.
T Lalnunpuia has also been exceptional in training and Sandesh Gadkari is also getting his touch back.
Asked about the upcoming match, Kashyap paid tribute to the opposition.
“In terms of performance, Salgaocar are one of the best at the moment. They also have a very experienced coach (Derrick Pereira), who is one of the best coaches in Indian football,” he said.
Kashyap added that his team are playing good football, but were let down by “conceding silly goals”.
“We are at the stage where we should be able to handle pressure,” the Blues’ coach said, adding, “and that means both the coach and the players.”
Given the difficulties facing the home team, Salgaocar assistant coach Peter Vales was still wary of Rangdajied, saying, “wounded tigers are always dangerous”
The Goan team are also injury-free and should have the services of Darryl Duffy, who is the current top-scorer in the League with six goals.
With the weather turning colder and with the late start to the match, Vales was asked whether the weather could be a disadvantage.
However, the assistant coach dismissed the suggestion, saying that the team had prepared well.
