By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Having suffered their worst defeat of the I-league season so far against Churchill in thelast match, Shillong Lajong FC would look for a turnaround when they take Prayag United SC in a Round 11 tie at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.
However, the team from Shillong would not have it easy as they are up against an opponent who have had only one loss in the tournament so far and stand five positions above 10th placed Lajong in the points table. Prayag’s only defeat came in their last outing when they were beaten 2-1 by Kerela’s Chirag United in the last round.
Speaking to the The Shillong Times, Lajong coach Pradyum Reddy said that the team was looking forward to the game especially after the disappointing outing against Churchill.
“The best way to overcome a bad result is to replace it by a good one,” he said.
Reddy asserted that any team was beatable at this level and Prayag’s good run in the tourney so far would not put his team under any extra pressure.
“Prayag are a draw specialist. They have the ability to score and got a few attacking players. But they are vulnerable at the back,” Reddy said.
“If we do play to our usual levels, especially the form we have displayed in Kolkata in recent times, then there is no reason why we cannot get all three points tomorrow,” he added.
The Lajong coach said that the team was confident of ending the year on a high and three points each from the two matches against Prayag and Chirag United on Dec 29 would put them in a very good position.
On the other hand, Prayag United SC coach Sanjoy Sen cautioned his players against complacency.
“This is a marathon league. Any team can have an off-day. Moreover, the result of the last match is irrelevant,” Sen said.
“Lajong are a very fit and capable side. They can take any team for a ride. We need to be cautious. Our goal is to get nine points from our remaining three matches in the first-leg and move up the table,” he said.
United have 17 points from 10 matches compared to Lajong’s 12. (With inputs from Agencies)
