SHILLONG: Nothing could have done more for Rangdajied United FC’s confidence than their brilliant come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Pune FC on Wednesday, but they will face a difficult challenge when they take on Mumbai FC in an I-League match at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Sunday at 5:00pm.
After a slow start to their maiden season in the League, Rangdajied have now won two out of their last three games and are itching to climb out of the drop zone.
The Blues are in 12th spot on 11 points and could move to 11th if they win on Sunday and Mohammedan Sporting (13 points) lose to Churchill Brothers.
One could argue that Rangdajied’s change in fortunes began when they faced Mumbai away at the end of November.
Although the fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, the solitary point earned from the game was the Shillong club’s first away from home. Indeed, RUFC’s goal, scored by Manandeep Singh, was the club’s first outside Shillong.
Mumbai are also on an upswing and are now unbeaten in four matches after going through a torrid time earlier in the season.
RUFC coach Santosh Kashyap, while expressing confidence, said he respects the visitors.
“We are in good shape and all the foreigners are fit. But Mumbai are also a good team and they are in good form. So it will be a tough match,” he said at a press conference on Saturday.
With a bevy of players to choose from, Kashyap kept his cards close to his chest and would not say whether the exciting David Ngaihte will start the game.
“I haven’t take the call yet. Munmun Lugun is also playing well and I will have to sit down and talk with my staff to figure [that] out.”
The match will be the last for goalkeeper Subrata Paul, who has been on loan from IMG-R and who is set to leave for Denmark to play for a local club there.