SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC will look to outclass Salgaocar FC when the two sides face off in what would be the last Hero I-League home match of the season for the hosts. The match to be played at the JN Stadium here will kick off at 4.30 PM on Sunday.
With only three matches to go this season, the Royals will be keen to pocket as many points as possible and a win on Sunday will surely go on to make life easier for the ‘title-contenders’ when they move to Kolkata later in the month to take on the mighty Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
This being the last home game of the season, the Royals would also like to perform to their potential for the sake of their thousands of fans who have thronged to the stadium with their numbers getting bigger with every passing match.
With their attacking display throughout the tourney, the Royals not only succeeded to win hearts in the city but across the country’s football circles and it is no surprise that the team, touted as the title contenders till recently, wants to have a last hurrah at home on Sunday.
While the Royals are sitting pretty at the third spot at the moment, Salgaocar are placed sixth in the standings and have had an indifferent run this season. The visitors, however, will take heart from their recent 3-1 win over ShillongLajong FC in Shillong.
Though the Royals’ title ambitions received a setback after sharing point with Mumbai and going down to Dempo in the last two outings, no one can take away the good work the team did in its debut season and despite the recent statistics, Santosh Kashyap’s boys will start as firm favourites when they take on the Goan rivals on Sunday.
On the eve of the crucial tie, Kashyap asserted that his boys are well prepared for their last home game.
“We played well in the last game (against Mumbai) but could not get the desired the result… It’s a new game tomorrow, we are well prepared,” Kashyap said adding that all the remaining three matches are “very important” for his side.
Kashyap also heaped praise on all the Royal Wahingdoh fans who stood firm behind the team in large numbers and urged them to back the side again tomorrow.
Though Kashyap was not too happy with his strikers in the last game, he said the boys are putting in the efforts.
“It’s a long season and we can’t win everything,” he said.
However, in what could be a bit of concern for the Royals they will miss out on the services of Bekay Bawar while Lalmangaihsanga has also been ruled out. Kim Song Yong too is a doubtful starter but is likely to be named in the 18-member list.
Salgaocar on the other hand come to game on the back of a dominating performance against another Shillong side and would fancy their chances on Sunday.
“We badly needed one win losing four matches in a row. We still have a long way to go and are looking forward to a good game against Wahingdoh tomorrow,” coach Derrick Pereira said.
Visiting skipper Rocus Lamare also hoped for a positive result for his side on Sunday.
Darryl Duffy will be a doubtful starter for Salgaocar.
It may be mentioned that the Royals had defeated Salgaocar in the reverse fixture.
