SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Pune FC in a Round 20 match of the I-League at the Balewadi Stadium Pune on Saturday. The match will start at 6.30 pm.
Lajong come into the match from a 1-3 loss to Salgaocar FC in Goa last week which dropped them to the fifth spot in the standings with 24 points in their kitty. The hosts on the other hand were held by Mumbai FC in their last encounter and would look to close in the gap at the top when they lock horns with Lajong on Saturday.
The Red Lizards haven’t been able to make the most of the home conditions as they have failed to beat the north eastern outfit on three occasions in the past. Both sides played out a goalless draw when they met each other in October last year in front of a packed JN Stadium in Shillong.
The Reds will continue to miss the services of Milan Singh who is out for the rest of the season due to injury in a major setback for the Shillong outfit. Taisuke, Boithang along with Lalramluaha are expected to play a crucial role at the centre of the park and provide good support for strikers Uilliams, Cornell Glen and Durga Boro.
Pune FC’s latest signing, Australian striker Mirjan Pavlovic, is likely to feature in the playing eleven on Saturday. But more importantly for the hosts, Mustapha Riga will be back in the midfield against the Reds. Riga has been crucial in the midfield for Mike Snoei’s side in the three games prior to the Mumbai match and his return would in all probability boost the Red Lizard’s chances.
On the eve of the match, Lajong Coach Thangboi Singto said, “We have been away from home for almost three weeks. But the morale (of the boys) at the moment is good and the team is ready to go all out tomorrow.”
“We will play for a win and hopefully the boys will deliver a good performance against the second best team in the I-League. It is going to be a tough match as Pune FC is a very strong team in all aspects,” Thangboi added.
The match is more crucial for Lajong which has to keep a distance from sides fast catching up in the standings.
A close contest is expected on Saturday as the two teams look to climb up the standings.
Meanwhile, in another match, table toppers Bangalore FC, which met with reverse after a good run, will face a tough task against Federation Cup champions Churchill Brothers in the I-League tie to be played at Bangalore football stadium on Saturday.