Face Bhawanipore today
SHILLONG: By Friday evening Royal Wahingdoh FC and their fans may have something to celebrate or something to rue.
The club, vying to be the third from Shillong to qualify for the I-League, will take on Bhawanipore FC on Friday at 6:30pm in Aizawl in a decider that will send the best outfit through to next season’s top tier of Indian football.
After seven games each, all that separates the best two teams of the Second Division I-League is two points, with the Kolkatans in front on 17.
When the two sides met in the first phase of the final round in Silchar, they drew 0-0 and there is little to separate them.
Wahingdoh started on a slow note, winning their first match of the tournament 1-0 but then drawing their next three.
They got going as soon as they reached Aizawl, however, and have won all of their three fixtures in the Mizoram capital.
Bhawanipore will be a different kettle of fish, however.
Like the Royals, the Kolkatan team have come through until now unbeaten, but they have won one more match than the Shillong outfit.
A draw is all that is required from Bhawanipore on Friday to qualify, but they are approaching the contest in a positive frame of mind.
Whatever the result, it will be a poignant moment for the team as their star veteran striker, Jose Ramirez Barreto, will retire after the match at the age of 37.
“It’s a special game not only for me, but for everyone from our club and we definitely want to make sure we have made it that way,” the former Mohun Bagan player said on Thursday morning, speaking to the official I-League website.
“Wahingdoh are a good team. Not only are they very fast and pacy but also very dynamic and balanced. Long balls are their forte along with neat passing. I do believe they will make it hard for us tomorrow, but we are preparing for it.”
Needing their fourth straight victory to qualify, RWFC are also a confident team.
“Just like the previous games, we will go for the three points. That is our aim,” an official from Wahingdoh said.
“We are very positive and will grab this chance.”
The Royals will have a slight advantage as Bhawanipore coach Juliano Fontana will not be on the touchline for the crucial game. He has been suspended for four matches following a verbal brawl with Kalighat Milan Sangha officials during their match on April 7.
“There are no such tactics and strategies that we want to employ against Bhawanipore. It is just an undying hunger to taste success,” the Wahingdoh official continued.
The team’s Facebook page has also been inundated with passionate comments from the fans, who are pinning their hopes on seeing Royal Wahingdoh FC take their next big step forward with a victory on Friday.