Shillong Lajong FC aim to begin their campaign on a high when they take on Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan, on the inaugural day of the I-League 2012/13.
The Kolkata giants who couldn’t reach the semis of the recently-concluded Federation Cup stay under a bit of pressure to win the match at any cost. “The boys are complaining of cold,” Bagan coach Santosh Kyshyap said, adding: “Away matches are always difficult but they stay the same for every team.”
Lajong’s campaign is likely to be boosted by a full crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium but Kashyap was quick to deny the crowd factor won’t be a decisive factor.
“In Kolkata, we play in front of over a lakh spectators. So I don’t believe the crowd will ever have any impact on the result of the match,” Kashyap maintained. “Lajong are a good side and capable of causing an upset. We need to be cautious.”
Lajong’s English Coach Desmond Bulpin stays aware of the challenge but assured his boys are “ready for the challenge.”
“We will fight till the end. It will be a high-voltage game. We will surely bank on our home support,” he opined. “We have blended the team with the experienced players and some boys from the Academy who are totally fresh for I-League,” he added.
The kick-off is at 14.45 IST.
United Sikkim take on Salgaocar
In another match in Gangtok, United Sikkim take on Salgaocar FC. This will be USFC’s first match in the I-League after they qualified for the Premier Division last season.
(AIFF Press Release)