Shillong, Jan 12: The Shillong Lajong is all set to play their first home game of 2019 against Indian Arrows on 13th January, Sunday at the JN Stadium in Shillong at 2PM. The tickets for the match will be available on Sunday at the SSA Counter in Polo Ground from 10AM onwards.
It has been a very tough season thus far for the youngsters of Shillong Lajong as they have managed to collect only four points from 11 matches played. The positive is that they have been scoring in every home game that was played in Shillong that is against Aizawl, East Bengal, Minerva Punjab and Neroca FC even though they managed only one win (vs Aizawl) and a draw (vs Minerva Punjab).
18 year old youngster, Prangki Buam is the leading goal scorer of the team with 4 goals. Other players who have netted for Lajong this season include Mahesh Singh, Allen Lyngdoh, Rakesh Pradhan, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Samuel Kynshi and Sheen Sohktung.
Defensively, Shillong Lajong has to be more aggressive and form a tight-knit wall thereby ensuring that no silly goals are conceded on Sunday and in the matches to come.
Their last encounter was away in Imphal and despite showing great signs of improvement in their strategy they lost the game by 3-2. Shillong Lajong has a total of 6 home games and three away games remaining and is hoping the New Year will bring them some luck.
In the pre-match press conference held on Saturday, Coach Alison Kharsyntiew said, “I always tell my boys that if we attack we also need to think of the defence. If the defence is good we can win games because we have been scoring goals. So, if we can defend well on Sunday’s game and in the remaining matches I think we can beat any team.”
“The boys are ready for the game and they need to give their 100%. As a coach handling youngsters, we need to encourage them and not criticize them. The players have been preparing very well for the game and the result will definitely come”, he concluded.
Kitbok Pale who joined The Reds in December last year also attended the pre-match press conference and is looking forward to his debut home match on Sunday. Speaking to the media, Kitbok said, “I will be playing my first I-League home game and I have been waiting for this moment for a long time now.”
“My family & friends will be there to support me as well as the team but most importantly I wish to see the fans coming out to support us and keep us going until the final whistle.”
“Indian Arrows is a strong side but I am determined to give my best performance for the team and score goals”, said Kitbok Pale.
Indian Arrows are currently in the 8th position with 10 points in the I-League standings. They played their last game against East Bengal and lost to them at home by 1-2. The all Indian side have lost four away games and won one. At home, they have won twice, loss thrice and drew once.
Amarjit Singh Kiyam is the only player to score two goals. Other players who have found the net for Arrows include Ashish Rai, Rohit Danu and Khumanthem Ninthoinganba. Overall they have netted five goals in eleven games while Shillong Lajong has netted 13 goals in 11 games.
Indian Arrows head coach, Floyd Pinto said, “To be honest this is a tough game for us, any game between two elite youth side is hard because they both give their 100%.”
“We are focusing on each match at a time. What gives me confidence is that with respect to my team, we have evolved a lot, we got stronger and mentally tougher, we are getting results and hopefully, that confidence will hold us on Sunday. We always have a competition amongst ourselves; we try to be the best as we can be”, he added.
In the previous season, Indian Arrows lost to Shillong Lajong by a 1-0 margin on 8th January 2018 and this time, Lajong are wishing to maintain the clean slate and grab their second win of the I-League 2018/19 season.
