SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong will play their first game of 2019 against Neroca FC on Friday at the Khuman Lumpak Stadium in Imphal at 2PM.
With the coming of the New Year, the Reds are carrying with them new hopes and positivity to get the results in their favour. It has been a tough road so far with only four points collected from 10 matches but will now focus on climbing the points ladder one step at a time and end the season on a cheerful note. When Lajong hosted Neroca earlier this season at home on December 2 the score line was 1-2 with the away team taking the three points. A tough encounter is expected and Shillong Lajong is ready for the challenge.
In the pre-match press conference that was held on Thursday, Coach Alison Kharsyntiew is hopeful that the team will come back stronger on Friday against Neroca FC. He said, “The second leg begins and we need to learn from the mistakes that we made in the first leg of the I-League.” “I keep telling the boys to improve on their technique and deliver a much better performance in the coming matches.” “Neroca is a good team with experienced players on their side. I am confident that our boys will work hard and play without any fear.
We have many young players on the team and all of them are getting a good exposure. I am hoping that they change the game on Friday and collect nothing less than three points.”
On the other hand, Neroca FC is in the second position with 18 points in the I-League table. They have won five matches, drew three and lost two and have now become title contenders of the I-League 208/19 season. The Manipur side is very strong at home and their highest margin victory was against Indian Arrows, 3-0. They won their last game against Mohun Bagan on 28th December by 2-1 also at home. Felix Odili Chidi is their leading goal scorer with four goals and will be the player to watch out along with Yusa Katsumi, Eduardo Soares, Henry Kisekka and Subash Singh.
Speaking ahead of the game, Neroca FC coach, Manuel Retamero Fraile said, “We will try again and focus on the game. We cannot take it for granted that Lajong has been losing games and all but we need is to be more careful of them.”
“We have to put everything in the coming game and take away three points and move forward. Our players will give their best on the ground.”
Bowing to intense pressure from aggrieved clubs, the All India Football Federation and its commercial partners have decided to show all the I-League matches, which will not be televised, on online platforms Hotstar and Jio TV.
The online broadcast will be underway from Friday, starting with Neroca FC facing Shillong Lajong in the afternoon in Imphal. “Having worked this out with our commercial partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), we have come to the conclusion that the matches which will not be broadcast, will be available online,” All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das said.
” This comes days after Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj Sunday threatened to move court under the aegis of I-League (Private) Clubs Association if the All India Football Federation (AIFF) did not sort out the telecast row. (Agencies)
