SHILLONG: Both Rangdajied United FC and Shillong Lajong FC will have to perform at their very best on Saturday as they play top teams Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan, respectively, in the Federation Cup.
Playing in Manjeri, Kerala, at 7:30pm, Rangdajied will face Group B leaders Bengaluru in a must-win match for the Blues.
RUFC are currently joint second in the group after drawing 1-1 with East Bengal in their first match.
With just one team from each group progressing to the semifinals, a win for Bengaluru on Saturday will ensure that Rangdajied cannot top the group after all the round robin matches.
The South Indian team had won 5-3 over Sporting Clube de Goa in their first match.
The Blues’ defence will have to be resolute against an attacking Bengaluru front line, but the strikers will also have an important part to play.
Edmar Figueira and Kim Song Yong did well in the first match, with the Korean scoring.
Manandeep Singh, who suffered an injury to his knee, is in doubt, however.
Speaking after the East Bengal game, coach Santosh Kashyap said his boys should have “killed” the Kolkatan outfit in the first half, but the opposition were strong enough to fight back.
“We attacked and took shots and so many chances were created. I’m confident that we will go through from this group, and do much better. Goals will come in the next match I feel and I’m very happy overall,” Kashyap was quoted as saying on a football website.
SLFC, Bagan fight it out for top spot in Group C
Meanwhile, over in Kochi, the situation is only a little more relaxed for Shillong Lajong.
The Reds are leading Group C on goal difference over Mohun Bagan after both clubs won their opening games.
The Lajong-Bagan match will be a 4:00pm fixture and will be broadcast live on Ten Action.
SLFC coach Thangboi Singto said on the club’s website, “Winning will give us better chances for the semifinals. We are expecting a good and competitive match.
“Mohun Bagan have good foreigners and Indian players as well. They also have a very highly respected coach and we need to do well in all aspects to stand a chance to win against them.”
While the Mariners, who have won the Cup a staggering 13 times, have not been at their best over the last couple of years, they are still a formidable team and the Reds, who are high on confidence after thrashing Salgaocar 4-0, will have to be at their best.
The Kolkatans are actually behind Lajong in the I-League points table, but the nature of the Fed Cup means that that will probably have little bearing in Saturday’s game.
Mohun Bagan came through 1-0 against Mumbai FC in their first match.
Key to SLFC’s chances will be the performance of their younger players.
Redeem Tlang scored a goal against Salgaocar, thus becoming the youngest goal-scorer in the senior Lajong team at the age of 18.
The Shillong club have taken along several other young players, like Shaiborlang Kharpan and Bipin Singh, and their performance against a strong Mohun Bagan could prove crucial.
Experienced striker Cornell Glen’s performance was pivotal in the last match and he will be called upon again to lead the way up front.
Other names to take note of are that of regular captain Minchol Son, who was only used as a substitute in the first game, while Boithang Haokip was rested.
The Reds cannot expect Bagan to be pushovers like Salgaocar proved to be, but a strong performance against the legendary team will give the Lajong Faithfuls much to cheer about.
