THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Shillong Lajong aim to conquer The Cooperage

Shillong Lajong FC

Shillong Lajong FC

Mumbai FC, who have not lost a single match at their new home fortress this I-League season, are all set to host Shillong Lajong FC at The Cooperage Stadium in Mumbai on Friday at 19.00 IST.

The North East outfit head into this fixture after playing out a 1-1 draw at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa against Sporting Clube de Goa on March 28. Lajong picked up a point courtesy a goal from striker Cornell Glen.

Cornell, who is a former World Cupper and also Lajong’s marquee player, is the second highest goal scorer in the I-League this season with seven goals from nine appearances.

Interestingly, the Reds have managed to be strong in their attacking display upfront but could have done better to avoid being in the bottom half of the table. The defence have been conceding early goals and committing costly errors in their previous matches and thus the team is struggling. They are placed at the second last of the I-League table with seven points. However, a win in tomorrow’s match will take them to the 8th position and also end Mumbai’s unbeaten run at home.

SLFC coach Thangboi Singto shared some light on the team’s defence line. He said, “After conceding early against Sporting Clube, we stood strong and held Odafe and Wolfe. That shows, overall we have improved defensively. We still have to concentrate in not conceding early goals.”

Mumbai FC, coached by former Indian international Khalid Jamil, lost 0-1 to Lajong in the first leg I-League encounter in Shillong this season. It was Lajong’s second home game and the club’s first win of the season. The Reds have only played three home games so far.

Coach Singto added, “Mumbai FC is a strong and physical side. We need to match them in the areas as I mentioned earlier in order to get a positive result.”

The match against Mumbai is Lajong’s second away fixture since the international break and the team has been training very hard since their arrival in Mumbai on Tuesday. They are looking to snatch all the three points from the host.

“The team is adapting to the heat and weather conditions here in Mumbai. But we need to be mentally strong and confident,” Singto told. “We must play cohesively and a good team performance will give us good results.”

Crossing over, host Mumbai FC lost to Salgaocar FC in their previous I-League fixture. Salgaocar won the encounter 3-1 at home.

Khalid Jamil’s troops are on an unbeaten streak at home and are placed in the 7th position with twelve points.

Mumbai will look to bank on Reisangmi Vashum and Taisuke Matsugae in midfield who will try to create plenty of opportunities and supply good passes to the strikers. Josimar, Mohammed Rafi and Jayesh Rane will have to stay mentally strong and aim to accomplish their goal scoring duties as they do know the kind of resilience Lajong defenders can pose in tomorrow’s match.

Chika Wali and Justine Stephen will have to stay physically strong and alert at the back knowing that Glen is Lajong’s “Goal Scoring Machine” and can prove to be very dangerous once he gets his feet on the ball.