SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC will go all out to extend its stay at the top half of the table when it takes on 10th placed Sporting Clube de Goa in a Hero I-League match at the JN Stadium here at 4.30 PM on Sunday.
The Royals will look to inflict more misery on Sporting who are yet to win a game this season.
While RWFC coach Santosh Kashyap is confident about his side’s prospects on Sunday, rival coach Mateus Costa will have his task cut out against the hosts who have won three of their five matches played so far.
“We have been playing well and also getting the desired results…we are confident ahead of tomorrow’s game,” Kashyap said while addressing a pre-match conference here on Saturday.
He, however, refused to write-off Sporting despite their indifferent run this season stating that every team is competent at this level and all matches are challenging.
The Royals followed up their win in the opener against local rivals Shillong Lajong with impressive away victories over in-form Salgaocar and new-boys Bharat FC. The Royals, however, went down at home to defending champions Bengaluru FC but rallied back to secure a point in the last home match against Dempo SC.
Nevertheless, the contest between the hosts, who till Saturday afternoon held on to the second spot in the standings, and the second-from bottom team promises to be an exciting one since both the sides will have a lot at stake on Sunday.
Wahingdoh will once again rely on the teamwork and unity in the squad they have showcased so far to conquer their Goan rivals.
The hosts though will miss out on the services of Jackichand Singh, Nadong Bhutia, Samananda Singh and Govin Singh all of whom are nursing injuries. Meanwhile, match fit Seityasen Singh and new signing Godwin Franco will feature in the squad.
Sporting coach Mateus Costa, meanwhile, said that the main focus for his side would be to convert the openings.
Sporting have only scored once in the four matches they have played so far.
Costa also said that his boys are looking forward to the contest against the hosts in their den and would give their best shot on Sunday.
He said that Sporting is likely to retain the same side for Sunday’s encounter.
* Royal Wahingdoh
VS
Sporting Clube De Goa
* Kingfisher East
VS
Kalyani Bharat FC
