Shillong Lajong FC is all set to host Mumbai FC in the first home game of the 2015-16 Hero I-League season on January 10 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong at 16.30 IST.

Lajong will once again field a very youthful squad with the inclusion of several players from the SLFC Academy which won the Shillong Premier League (SPL) title in November 2015.

Lajong has always believed in the power of the youth and that they have the competence to take Indian football to the next level. The Lajong Academy boys have enjoyed a successful season in the local league and are also the youngest squad to win the Shillong Premier League in the year 2014 and 2015 with an average age of just 20.

Several youngsters from the Lajong Academy have been promoted to the Senior Team over the years and after seeing the potential of many boys, who hail from different parts of the North East region, the Lajong Coaching Department elevated more youngsters. The youngsters are Hardy Cliff Nongbri, Phurba Lachenpa, Rakesh Pradhan and Samuel Lalmuanpuia. The Reds have also signed the three rising stars in Indian football in Aibankupar Dohling of Shillong, Milan Basumatary of Assam and Chinglensana Konsham Singh of Manipur.

Meanwhile Head Coach Thangboi Singto shared his views on the Lajong squad. He said, “Overall and including the foreigners we are a very young team.”

“It is a good mixture of experienced players in important positions along with talented Indian young local players in every position.”

“The bench strength is much stronger and there is a cohesive unit and great team spirit.”

He concluded by saying, “We need to believe that we can finish the league at the top half and definitely aim to achieve nothing less than Top 3. But for that to happen we need to be much stronger this season defensively as a team.”

SHILLONG LAJONG FC SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Kunzang Bhutia, Vishal Kaith, Phurba Tempa Lachenpa

Defenders
Aibor Khongjee, Nim Dorjee Tamang, Sh. Sandeep Singh, Chinglensana Konsham Singh, Soraisam Pritam Kumar Singh, Rakesh Pradhan, Samuel Shadap, Aibanbha Kupar Dohling, Robin Gurung, Yusuke Yamagata

Midfielders
Boithang Haokip, Zodingliana Tochhawng, Th. Bipin Singh, Jacob Lalrawngbawla, Hardycliff Nongbri, Rupert Nongrum, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Alen Deory, Joseph Lalfakzuala, Redeem Tlang, Penn Orji

Forwards
Lalrammuana, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Milan Basumatary, Shaiborlang Kharpran, Fabio Henrique Pena, Uilliams Bomfim Souza