Shillong Lajong FC are all set to kick start their 2013-14 I-League campaign, with a high voltage clash, when they square off against Arthur Papas’s Dempo SC at the Duler Stadium Goa on Sunday at 16.00 IST.

The North-Eastern football pioneers have had a busy summer so far, in terms of transfers-with coach Thangboi Singto making a couple of high profile new signings which included World Cupper Cornell Glen, Uillians Silva from Brazil and also roping in striker Subash Singh, midfielder Milan Singh, goalkeepers Vinay Singh and Kunzang Bhutia and defender Robin Gurung.

The match will certainly be a daunting task for the Reds, as they are up against a Dempo squad which boasts of top notch Indian and international stars like Mahesh Gawli, Clifford Miranda, Gabriel Fernandes, Jewel Raja, Australian international Simon Colosimo, Japanese defender Shinnosuke Honda and a forward line which will be led by Jeje Lalpekhlua and former West Ham Academy ward Billy Mehmet.

At the helm of the Goan team is former Pailan Arrows coach Arthur Papas, who will be pulling all stops to notch up his first win of the I-League as the Dempo coach. The Reds, however, as renowned for their giant-killing feats, and will seek to pull off another upset, more so with the recent additions to their squad.

The match is all set to provide the spectators 90 minutes of high pulsating drama and action and come 16.00 IST on Sunday, all roads lead to the Duler Stadium, as both teams kick off their respective seasons at the referee’s whistle.

Commenting on the stature of the match, SLFC coach Thangboi Singto said, “It is an important match, because the outcome will set the tone for the rest of the season. We expect it to be an exciting encounter and we will give it our all, as a good result will set the ball rolling for our team, for the rest of the season.”

Singto further added that all the players are physically fit for selection and signed off by saying that he expects the moral support of the fans back home to drive the team forward.