Lajong had a successful campaign at home winning two back to back matches against Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa on January 28 and 31 respectively. Brazilian strikers Fabio Pena Henrique and Uilliams Bomfim Souza provided the goals for the Reds at home and climbed up to the fifth place with 7 points. However, today's away match against East Bengal will be a challenge after Lajong lost their first non-home match in Bengaluru
The Goan Network
MARGAO
Shillong Lajong FC will play their second away game of the Hero I-League 2015-16 season, against Kingfisher East Bengal in Kolkata at the Barasat Stadium on Tuesday, February 9 at 7pm. The match will be telecast live on Ten Action.
The last time the two sides met was at the JN Stadium Shillong on May 30,2015 and Lajong had won the match 5-1.
Lajong had a successful campaign at home winning two back to back matches against Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa on January 28 and 31 respectively. Brazilian strikers Fabio Pena Henrique and Uilliams Bomfim Souza provided the goals for the Reds at home and climbed up to the fifth place with 7 points.
The duo who have been combining exceptionally well in the past two matches will be the key to provide the important goals for Lajong in Tuesday's crucial clash at the Barasat.
Lajong has played only one away match this season and unfortunately things didn’t go according to plab at the Kanteerava and travelled back home with no points. The team progressed after the loss to Bengaluru and won the two matches at home and now will look to face the Kolkata giants Kingfisher East Bengal with the same spirit and confidence and produce a good game of football.
Lajong’s head coach Thangboi Singto, said, “We need to approach the game with a winning mentality. The team has improved in attack and defence but not conceding will be the key.”
Singto pointed out that East Bengal is overall a well balanced team with good foreigners as well as Indian players.
“It will be a very tough match tomorrow as their Indian bench strength is very strong. It will be a challenging match.”
“We expect to get a good result and for that all the 11 players, 7 subs and staff in the bench need to have the same positive approach,” he said.
He concluded by saying, "Lajong faithfuls do keep the cheer on for the Reds. We need you all always.”
Meanwhile, the hosts look very comfortable especially being at home and are currently in the second spot with 11 points and will settle for nothing less than a win in order to occupy the top spot which BFC at the moment with a one point lead only.
The Red and Gold Brigade head into this game after a 2-0 win at home over I-League debutants Aizawl FC. Bikash Jairu and Bernard Mendy were the two goal scorers.
Bernard Mendy who made his I-League debut on February 5 showed class and overall had a good game on his first day. East Bengal has a strong squad this season with players like Bello Rassaq, Arnab Mondal,Rahul Bheke, Narayan Das playing a crucial role at the back line, Mendy and Rafique dominating at the centre of the park, with Dong Hyun, Bikash Jairu and Ranti Martins up front.
Last year’s top goal scorer Ranti Martins has scored four goals thus far in the current edition of the I-League and the Nigerian forward will look to continue his goal-scoring momentum and finish the league on top of the goalscorers list once again.
It will be a tough and vital encounter for Lajong as they lock horns against East Bengal tomorrow in Kolkata. The match is set to kick off at 7pm. After tomorrow’s match, Lajong will be playing two more away games against Aizawl FC and Mohun Bagan on the February 13 & 17 respectively.
The team will look to fight hard as a unit and display an entertaining match thereby come out victorious from the weekday clash against the Kolkata giants.
