SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC will take heart from their second half performance against defending champions Bengaluru in the last outing when they take on a rejuvenated Bharat FC in a Hero I-League match at the JN Stadium here on Sunday.
Lajong had held Bengaluru 1-1 after coming back strongly in the second half to snatch a point from the southern side.
At a time when every game is a must-win, the hosts would have to put up a spirited show against a Bharat FC side which is coming to the tie on the back of two wins on the trot. Bharat FC defeated league leaders Mohun Bagan and Pune FC in their last two outings to turn their indifferent fortune this season.
Despite the visitors’ fruitful adventures of late, home side coach Thangboi Singto is confident that if the Reds can put up a repeat show of the spirited second half fight they displayed against Bengaluru, the team is certain to do well on Sunday.
“We had a disappointing first half against Bengaluru but came back strongly in the second. We have a tough match tomorrow but if we can carry the momentum from the second half against Bengaluru things can work in our favour,” Singto said.
Lajong, however, would still have to do without the services of skipper Aiborlang Khongjee who is nursing an injury. Robin Singh too has been ruled out for the Bharat FC encounter.
Rival coach Stuart Watkiss, meanwhile, said scoring goals in the last two outings has proved to be the difference for his side.
“We have been playing well the entire season but weren’t able to convert,” Watkiss said.
Interestingly, Bharat FC haven’t lost a match in which they scored barring the one against Royal Wahingdoh in Pune.
Watkiss was all praise for SLFC who according to him proved to be the better side when the two teams met the last time. The game had ended in a 1-1 draw. Watkiss also lavished praise on the Lajong frontline and warned his boys of a tough challenge o Sunday.
Bharat FC, meanwhile, have a long list of injured players with the likes of Lester Fernandez, Mehrajuddin Wadoo , Adil Khan, Jayashelan Prasad and Tomba Singh slated to miss out on Sunday.
While Lajong is fighting to survive for the next season, Bharat FC enjoy immunity as far as relegation is concerned and this, Watkiss feels, will ensure that his boys are not under as much pressure as the hosts.
All in all, the visitors have little to lose, while Lajong have everything to play for on Sunday.
