On New Year’s Eve, the Tilak Maidan, Goa will witness a clash between a buoyant Shillong Lajong FC and home crowd favourites Salgaocar FC in a Group B match of the 36th Federation Cup 2015 at 16.00 IST.

The Reds suffered a 1-3 defeat to Pune FC in their first game and will look to bounce back in their second Group B fixture on Wednesday. Lajong gaffer Thangboi Singto fielded a young team and gave a first team start to Lajong Academy product Lalrammuana who also scored his first senior team goal.

Lajong’s dynamism in the attacking midfield will surely be an immense boost in order to supply ammunition to the striking forces of Durga Boro and Seiminlen Doungel who Lajong will heavily rely upon after a poor start to their Federation Cup campaign.

Coach Thangboi Singto has immense faith in his youthful squad although the team lost their first match. He believes that the “Never-Say-Die-Spirit” is living amongst them and the lads continue to remain content and determined knowing what is at stake for tomorrow’s fixture.

Singto said, “The morale of the team is good but only one day gap between matches does not really help in preparations. We are doing the best we can in a short time. We expect to improve on our previous performance tomorrow against a very experienced Salgaocar side.”

The Reds will look to turn things around against Salgaocar and take all three points as the team will settle for nothing less than a victory.

On the other side, Goan outfit Salgaocar FC lost in their Federation Cup opening fixture to I-League 2013-14 champions Bengaluru FC by a score line of 2-3. However, the Durand Cup winners from Goa will look to bring back their incredible form of play and also pray for a miracle in their quest as they would not like to leave their home ground on New Year’s Eve disappointed.

Lajong and Salgaocar will head into the clash tomorrow knowing that all three points are crucial with Bengaluru FC and Pune FC sitting on top after having won their first respective matches of the tournament.

Lajong will look to nab a few goals and display an attacking game of football in what will be an enticing encounter on Wednesday at the Tilak Maidan Vasco, Goa.