Shillong, November 21: Football lovers of Meghalaya are waiting for the pulsating moment on Friday when two teams- Shillong Lajong and Rangdajied FC- clash with each other before their fans in the ongoing I-League match. The match will undoubtedly be the mother of all the football matches the city had witnessed in recent time.
Both the teams are understandably rearing to go and give their best shot before the home crowd. The underdog Rangdajied United is ready to take on their much experienced counterpart, Shillong Lajong.
Both the coaches – Thangboi Singto and Santosh Kashkap – have mentioned in the in pre-match press conference on Thursday that their respective team will go for the win, but at the end of the day, the winners will be the game of football and the people of Shillong.
Armed with five new signings from the IMG-R camp, Rangdajied will be a different team all together and hoped to be on equal footing if not more to the much experienced Shillong Lajong FC .
For Rangdajied FC, India internationals Gouramangi Singh, Sandesh Jingham and Subrata Pal are all available for the derby while Tomba Singh and Manandeep Singh may also feature in the game on Friday.
Rangdajied skipper Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Restomwell Khriam will be back in thick of things after having to sit out for the last four rounds. But the Santosh Kashyap led team is once again likely to miss the service of the Brazilian recruit, Edmar Figueira.
“It’s a great setback that we will miss Edmar again because, he was slowly regaining his form and his fitness after struggling initially. He was doing well in the Shillong League and even scored a hat-trick in the last game,” said Kashyap.
Kashyap, however, now  has lots of option to fall back after the signing of the five players and it will be interesting to see how he shapes his team against Shillong Lajong when The Blues get into the field on Friday evening to take in the Reds.
David Ngaihte, who was the star in the match against Salgaocar shared the sentiment when he said, “Competition within the team is now very high and it’s a good sign. Everyone is working hard and putting in their best foot.” And he didn’t hide his sentiment when asked who could emerge as the winner. He simply put it, “Of course Rangdajied United.”
On the other hand, Lamine Tamba, who has stood like a rock in The Blues’ defence said, “It’s a game of football and anything can happen. It doesn’t matter how a team practice or looks on paper. The team that plays better in the 90 minutes will come out the winner.”
Win for the either of the team will definitely help them climb the I-League table and it’s what both are clearly aiming for. But with tickets for the match sold out and the match going to be broadcast LIVE for the country to witness the making of history, it’s Football and the people of Shillong that are going to be the winners.
Shillong Lajong FC will be missing key players as Jibon Singh is facing a two match ban after receiving a red card in the last game against Mohun Bagan and defender Wailadmi Passah is out after collecting 4 yellow cards so far this season.
Lajong will be looking to ride on Cornell Glen and Uilliam’s good run of form where both have consistently delivered up front forming a formidable strike partnership. Glen has scored 6 goals in 7 games and Uilliams has been finding the net as well scoring 3 in the last two games. Lajong FC is more positives now as in the previous game an impressive all round performance from Subash Singh and resilient defending from Lajong captain, Minchol Son will add to their strengths on Friday.
The Reds are looking to extend their unbeaten run to six games and a win tomorrow will assure them second place in the I-League table. Rangdajied United FC will look to get out of the relegation zone with a whole new look in their squad, looking for their first ever I-League win. – By Our Reporter
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