SHILLONG: Rangdajied United FC created some welcome magic by beating table toppers Bengaluru FC 3-2 last week at the JN Stadium and their fans must be hoping that that was a sign of the team’s rejuvenation.
However, despite taking on a new coach in the celebrated Hering Shangpliang and a new striker in Ranti Martins, who was Man-of-the-Match in the last game, it is still too early to tell whether the Blues have turned the corner.
They are still at the bottom of the standings, but have a few games left to try and claw their way out of the relegation zone.
The Shillong club will next play on Sunday at home where they will face United SC, Ranti’s former team.
The Kolkata side have had plenty of monetary woes and they could not afford to keep on their Nigerian striker, who is rumoured to be one of the highest paid players in the I-League.
Asked about his thoughts on the upcoming match, Ranti made it clear that he is now a Rangdajied man.
“I am a professional and my job is to give 100 percent for the team I play for,” the striker was quoted as saying by the club through a press release on Thursday.
“I have come here to play for Rangdajied and I will give my all to help the team. We are on a mission and I being part of that, will play my role to perfection.
“My opponents may be my friends but there is no room for mercy on the field. Yes, everyone in United has been very good to me and I love them and respect them all. So, off the field, it will be an emotional moment.”
The Nigerian prefers quiet time and has not explored his new home much, but has noticed that the love that Shillong has for football is special.
“People in other cities also love football, but the people of Shillong also understand the game much better,” he said.
“That’s something I really love about the people of Shillong.”
Despite missing his family, who are in Kolkata, Ranti’s commitment, determination and drive to excel keeps him focused on the Blues.
“The start has been good for me personally. But ‘I’ is something that is not important in football. It is ‘Team’ that matters. So, we are all working tireless to save Rangdajied from relegation and we are confident we will do it,” he added.
Rangdajied have meanwhile released tickets for the Sunday match against United SC, which will be played at the JN Stadium, Polo.
Tickets are available throughout Shillong as well as Jowai.