Durand Cup 2025: Lajong, Rangdajied face off in Shillong Derby

New Delhi: City rivals Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied FC will face each other in the intense Shillong Derby, which will be played on Tuesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, while Jamshedpur FC will hope to turn it around against Indian Army FT at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in the 134th Durand Cup. Both Shillong Lajong and Jamshedpur FC have started the tournament with victories against Malaysian Armed Forces and Tribhuvan Army FC, respectively.  Shillong Lajong, last year’s semifinalists, got the better of Rangdajied FC with a 2-0 victory en route with the help of goals from current captain Kenstar Kharshong and Ronney Wilson, who has made the move to FC Goa.

This win was important as Shillong Lajong made a run into the semifinals, where they went down to eventual champions NorthEast United FC. They were rampant in the first group match, thrashing Malaysian Armed Forces 6-0 with Phrangki Buam and Everbrightson Sana scoring twice and Treimiki Lamurong and Deibormamae Tongper scoring one each.

The Red Dragons will hope to continue the same form against their city rivals. “Every match is important and a must-win game for us. Rangdajied is a strong side with many young and talented players, much like our own team. I believe it will be a good contest. A win will take us one step closer to the knockout stage,” said Birendra Thapa, head coach of Shillong Lajong”, said Shillong Lajong FC Head Coach Birendra Thapa.

On the other end, Rangdajied FC, who finished third in the Shillong Premier League (SPL), will look to get the better of their city rivals. Rangdajied lost both their SPL matches 1-2 to Lajong earlier in the season and will hope they put in a better performance in the Durand Cup. IANS

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