Shillong, April 5: Shillong Lajong FC is gearing up for what promises to be an intense showdown as they prepare to take on league leaders Mohammedan SC in their final home match of the 2023–24 I-League season.
Scheduled for Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in SSA Stadium, Shillong, this clash is set to draw football enthusiasts from far and wide.
Currently positioned 6th on the points table with 31 points under their belt, Shillong Lajong enters this crucial fixture fresh off a defeat against Delhi FC in their previous outing. With 8 wins, 7 draws, and 7 losses from 22 matches, the team is eager to end their home campaign on a high note.
In a pre-match press conference held earlier today, Lajong’s head coach, Bobby L. Nongbet, expressed his anticipation for the final home game against the league leaders, emphasizing the importance of finishing the season positively.
On the other side of the pitch, Mohammedan SC stands tall at the summit of the points table, boasting an impressive record of 14 wins, 7 draws, and just 1 loss from 22 matches, accumulating a total of 49 points.
With the title tantalizingly within reach, Mohammedan needs just one point from their remaining two matches to secure the coveted crown of this season’s I-League Champions.
This sets the stage for an electrifying encounter, as Shillong Lajong aims to thwart their opponent’s championship aspirations.
Football enthusiasts can catch all the action live on Eurosport India, the Indian Football YouTube Channel, and the Fancode app. Tickets for the match are currently available for purchase at select outlets, including The Electronic Centre in Police Bazaar, Cafe Shillong in Laitumkhrah, and the SSA Stadium Counter in Polo.
As anticipation builds and excitement mounts, both teams are poised to deliver a spectacle worthy of the beautiful game.
Mohammedan, who had finished runners-up in 2021-22 I-League season, have come into Saturday’s match after a 1-1 draw with Inter Kashi. They have been for unbeaten for the last 10 matches.
The Andrey Chernyshov-coached side had, in fact, lost only once in their 22 matches so far — against Real Kashmir FC. They had won 14 times and drawn seven matches.
Chernyshov said his side will play for a win.
“We trained very well in Kolkata. we want to play our style of football, and show how strong we are. support home team, but be ready for good match,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
“For us the situation doesn’t change (after Sreenidi drew with Neroca). We have come here to win.
We didn’t know about Sreenidi-Neroca result. we were ready for match. we think only to win, came to win this match. We continue to play for the win,” added the Russian.
Asked if there would be any pressure on his side, he said, “There is pressure every day when you are in the title race. You need to be very good every day, continue the good show, play with the same pressure.” “No one gets title for free. Our opponents will also bring in double energy, so we need to be ready for serious match tomorrow.”
The I-League is the men’s second-tier of the Indian football league system, currently contested by 13 clubs. It operates as a system of promotion and relegation with the Indian Super League. Over the years, there have been discussions and decisions regarding the league’s status and structure.
In 2017, a proposal was made to re-establish a singular league pyramid in Indian football, with the ISL becoming the top-tier league.
