SHILLONG: Despite being in what could be described as a ‘Group of Death’, Rangdajied United coach Santosh Kashyap feels reasonably confident as his boys prepare to take part in the Federation Cup, which will kick off in Kerala from January 14.
Rangdajied are in Group B along with two of the best teams in the I-League this season – Bengaluru FC and Sporting Clube de Goa – along with East Bengal.
“There’s no denying, it’s a very tough group. It is the Group of Death. But the manner we have been playing in the I-League makes me confident. I believe we can do it,” Kashyap was quoted as saying on the All India Football Federation website on Friday.
RUFC are still in 12th place in the I-League, but Kashyap feels that the way his team have performed in the recent games means that they will not be pushovers.
“We outplayed Mohun Bagan and coming back from two goals down, we won 3-2 against Pune FC. Add to that our triumph in the Shillong Premier League. We did [it] all in style,” he said.
Another point in the team’s favour is the chemistry among the players and the experience the IMG-R signings will bring.
“It’s not only about Manandeep (Singh) but the entire contingent. He and Gouramangi’s (Singh) experience would be the key. Then, there is the vastly experienced Tomba Singh. They have the experience of playing in the Federation Cup and would be able to guide the youngsters. Our foreign recruits are doing quite well and the team chemistry is peaking at the right time.”
The Blues will be playing without Subrata Paul, as the goalkeeper has left to play with a Danish club. Nevertheless, the coach feels that the two other goalies – Shambu Mistry and Surjay Kumar Pariyar – will have learnt a lot from Paul’s time in the team.
“Since Subrata’s arrival, the two have learnt so much. I hope that will help them in the Federation Cup.”
Rangdajied will play their first match against East Bengal on January 15 in Manjeri.
