SHILLONG: On a high after two crucial victories over Bengaluru FC and United SC, Rangdajied United FC would like to settle for nothing less than full three points when they host Mohun Bagan in a Round 21 match of the I-League at the JN Stadium here on Saturday.
Victories against table-toppers Bengaluru FC and later against United SC finally saw the Blues escape the bottom rank of the table and move up to 11th place for now. But the hosts can hardly let the intensity lessen against the Mariners whose coach Karim Bencherifa termed the encounter in Shillong as “the most important game of the season” for his side.
Mohun Bagan is going through an extended lull as the side has not won any of its last four league fixtures or their last six games if the Federation Cup is included and the poor form has seen them mired in the mid-table with 21 points from 19 matches. The Kolkata giants played out a rather uninspiring 0-0 draw in their last outing against Mohammedan Sporting and Bencherifa pinned the blame on injuries to his squad. One lone bright hope was that his formidable striker Odafa Okolie was able to play the full 90 minutes, with the Nigerian also struggling with injury throughout the season.
Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul and defender Echezona Anyichie were injured against Mohammedan, while Meghalaya’s Aiborlang Khongjee is likely to miss the Saturday match with a groin injury.
The Mariners, thus, are well aware of the challenge that awaits them when they take on the Blues who are on a massive high.
That the Blues defeated the Mariners 2-0 in Kolkata when they met on December 1 may also play in the minds of both sides.
“The Rangdajied we played in the first leg and the Rangdajied now are a different team and the same goes for Mohun Bagan. Both have come a long way and tomorrow is a new game. No doubt, they are flying high and are in good form, but we have come prepared and will go for a win,” Bencherifa said in a pre-match press conference here.
Meanwhile, a third victory in a row would see Rangdajied displace Mohun Bagan in eighth spot, so long as Mumbai FC do not win their match at Sporting Clube de Goa on the same day.
A changed side under new coach Hering Shangpliang, Rangdajied’s chances has also been boosted by the inclusion of Nigerian striker Ranti Martins who has been pivotal in the last two matches.
“His (Martins’) experience has contributed a lot to the team. He is a player that creates many problems for the opposition,” Shangpliang said of the ex-United SC striker.
For Rangdajied, Elam Abocha will not be available for the match due to an injury though the experienced Tomba Singh will make a comeback in the middle.
Rangdajied assistant coach Khlain Syiemlieh said, “The match on Saturday will be like a final game for us. It may turn out to be a deciding factor of our future. Hence we urge supporters to come and cheer us during the game”.
