Shillong Lajong face Kalyani Bharat

SHILLONG, April 18: The Reds from the North East will play their last away game of the Hero I-League this Season when they lock horns against I-League Newbies, Kalyani Bharat FC on Sunday, at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune at 7pm.

Shillong Lajong FC have certainly up their ante and currently boasts of not having lost a single match post the Intertiol Break. Thangboi Singto himself acknowledges the fact that the team had their real pre-season during the break which helped in building a stronger team for the second leg action of the I-League.

However, the major drawback at the moment is injuries hitting the players during this very crucial period of the I-League. Captain Aibor Khongjee had to be replaced during the Shillong Derby and he is nursing his injury in Shillong at the moment. Young Midfielder Joseph Lalfakzuala was also knocked down during the Mohun Bagan encounter in Kolkata and was also left out in the Shillong Derby. Another player missing from the squad is Semilen Doungel as the forward was booked for a double yellow in the Shillong Derby and hence not eligible for the upcoming match against Bharat FC.

Free Kick Specialist Boithang Haokip who missed the action against Mohun Bagan and Wahingdoh, due to injury will look to make his return in tomorrow’s match although the fil call on his fitness will be taken by the Team Doctors tomorrow.

In this season of the I-League, Youngsters from the Lajong Academy have certainly proved their worth, showed maturity and turned out to be immensely “Gutsy” taking on the big guns in the League. Zodinglia, Jacob, Joseph, Nim Dorjee Tamang, Lalrammua, Rupert Nongrum and Sandeep Singh to me a few, are some of the gifted talents hailing from the Academy Ranks.