Hosts take on Mumbai FC today
SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong will face their first real test at home when they take on Mumbai FC in their second Hero I-League home match at the JN Stadium here on Saturday.
On a high after grabbing their first points of the season, the Reds want to leave no stone unturned to ensure that they carry the momentum forward by beating fifth-placed Mumbai.
The visitors will also be under pressure considering that they come into the away match on the back of a discouraging home defeat against Aizawl FC.
While Lajong are 7th in the standings with three points of four matches, Mumbai are at six points.
Ahead of the crucial tie, SLFC coach Thangboi Singto warned that if his boys were to take home full points from the Mumbai encounter, they have to be on their toes for full 90 minutes.
Singto referred to the poor second half outing against Minerva Punjab in the last game which almost cost them the match.
The Reds were unable to get the better of Mumbai FC last season, having played out a goalless draw in Shillong and losing 2-1 away, so Singto knows that the visitors, led by the experienced coach Santosh Kashyap, are going to put up a good showing.
Heaving praises on his Mumbai counterpart Kashyap, Singto said Mumbai are a tough opponent to deal with but Lajong would do its best to exploit the home advantage. “Tomorrow will be very tough. The good thing is that we will be playing at home,” he said.
Singto also hinted that he might want to retain the same playing XI for Saturday’s encounter.
Meanwhile, Mumbai gaffer Kashyap said Shillong is the toughest place for an away side with the weather coupled with home support adding to the home side’s advantage.
The former Royal Wahingdoh FC coach said he was enjoying every moment of his stay in the pine city which was like his second home.
Exuding confidence that his side has got over the Aizawl FC defeat, Kashyap brushed aside talks of pressure on his boys. “You cannot win all the matches,” he retorted.
He, however, admitted that conversion has been a problem for his side which has not scored in the last two outings.
It may be mentioned that Mumbai started the season on a positive note, beating Shivajians 1-0 at home before travelling to Churchill Brothers and winning 2-1 there. However, their form has turned since then and they have suffered two defeats – first being drubbed 3-0 away at Bengaluru FC before losing at their home ground to Aizawl FC 1-0.
On Saturday, while Lajong will miss out on the services Dan Ignat and Zodingliana, Mumbai will have to manage without Lalchawnkima and Pratesh Shirodkar.