Reds to close out season at Mohun Bagan
SHILLONG: A long and relatively happy I-League season will conclude for Shillong Lajong FC on Sunday when they play against Mohun Bagan in Kolkata.
The match will be telecast live on Ten Action at 5:00pm.
In the other fixture of the day, bottom-placed Mohammedan Sporting face Mumbai FC.
There is a huge contrast between the campaigns of the two clubs as Bagan are in danger of having their worst-ever finish in the I-League while Lajong have already surpassed their previous best by some distance.
After battling to avoid the drop in each of their previous three seasons, the Reds are currently in fifth spot with 33 points and are guaranteed a top-six finish, although they still harbour hopes of fourth place when the final round concludes on Monday.
Their nearest rivals are Sporting Clube de Goa (34 points), who will host champions Bengaluru FC on Monday, the same day that sixth-placed Dempo (32) play at Pune FC.
The Mariners played Lajong in Shillong on November 6 in a match that ended 1-1.
After a disappointing, listless and dull performance in their last match against Rangdajied United FC, which ended 0-0 and ensured that the latter avoided relegation, SLFC coach Thangboi Singto wants his boys to be motivated to succeed.
“Tomorrow’s match is a crucial one as a win will give us a better chance to finish in the top four,” Singto was quoted as saying on the club’s website on Saturday.
“The team has to be highly motivated and I believe the players know that and will give their all on Sunday.
“Top six is guaranteed and this is the best finish for SLFC. All credit goes to the players, staff, management and the fans.”
The Kolkata club, meanwhile, have endured their fourth consecutive trophyless season and are currently third from bottom with one round of matches to play.
They have pretty much consistently occupied a place in the bottom half of the table this year, managing only five victories (the Reds, for their part, have eight wins).
Mohun Bagan also have the worst offensive record in the league with only 21 goals and they have failed to add to that tally in their last two games.
However, what has saved them is the fact that they have not conceded too many goals (23).
Recent history is on the hosts’ side, however. When the two teams last met – in January at the Federation Cup – Mohun Bagan inflicted a crushing 6-0 defeat on Lajong that effectively knocked the Shillong team out of the tournament.
That match, though, was a different ball game.
Shillong Lajong fans will rather remember that their club have not been beaten in Kolkata this season, drawing two and winning one.
Speaking on Saturday, Mariners’ coach Karim Bencherifa said a professional attitude is a must.
“We must remain focused until the last minute of the season and maintain a professional attitude,” he was quoted as saying on the official I-League website.
Last roll of the dice for Mohammedan
Meanwhile, Mohammedan Sporting, who were promoted with Rangdajied for the current season, will have one more tilt at the windmills when they go up against Mumbai FC in Pune.
At rock bottom on 21 points, Mohammedan need a victory over eighth-placed Mumbai in order to carry their hopes of avoiding the drop for at least one more day.
Churchill Brothers, in 12th position and on 22 points, will play their final fixture at Salgaocar FC on Monday.
A draw will not suffice for the Black Panthers, who have a worse head-to-head record against last year’s champions Churchill.
