Shillong, March 03: The Shillong Lajong will play their final away fixture of the I-League 2018/19 season against Aizawl FC on 4th March, Monday at the RG Stadium at 2PM. The match will broadcast live on the digital platforms; Jio TV & Hotstar.
Lajong played their last match against Gokulam Kerala FC at home and it ended in a 1-1 draw on 22nd February. Skipper, Samuel Lalmuanpuia scored from the spot for Lajong in the 65th minute.
On the other hand, Aizawl FC defeated Gokulam Kerala by 3-1 in Kozhikode on 28th February. Paul Ramfangzauva, Lalkhawpuimawia and Ansumana Kromah were on the score sheet for Aizawl FC.
In this season, Aizawl FC has won 4 matches that is against East Bengal (home), Gokulam Kerala (home), Minerva Punjab (away) and Gokulam Kerala (away). They drew 6 and lost 8 games so far. Kromah is their leading goal scorer with 6, Lalkhawpuimawia is next with 5, Leonce Dodoz with 3, David Lalrinmuana has scored 2 while Rochhar Zela, Joe Zoherliana, Albert Zohmingmawia, Isak Vanlalruatfela and Paul Ramfangzauva with 1 each.
The former I-League champions is a very strong side at home and will make full use of the home advantage but Lajong are also working hard on every possibility of getting the better of their arch rivals this coming Monday.
Shillong Lajong is desperately looking for victories in their last two matches of the I-League that is against Aizawl FC on 4th March in Aizawl and Mohun Bagan on 8th March in Shillong. This season, The Reds fielded an all Indian line up with an average age of just 19 and the future of these youngsters certainly looks very promising.
Lajong has scored a total of 20 goals this season and these goals came from; Samuel Kynshi who is the leading goal scorer with 5, Mahesh & Phrangki with 4 each, Samuel Lalmuanpuia has netted 3 while Allen Lyngdoh, Rakesh Pradhan, Sheen Sohktung and Kitbok Pale with 1 each.
Coach Alison Kharsyntiew has mentioned before the importance of giving these youngsters the exposure they need playing in the top tier and as the season heads closer to an end, he is hopeful that these boys will come back much stronger in the next season with much more maturity and confidence in them.
Speaking ahead of a very important clash on Monday, Coach Alison Kharsyntiew said, “We have two games left now. One is on Monday against Aizawl and the other one is at home against Mohun Bagan on the 8th of March. If we can beat both the teams then it will be very good for us. So, we have to work very hard and hopefully, we’ll get the three points.”
“Aizawl is doing very well and in their last match they played good football and got the three points. It will be a very difficult match for us against Aizawl but like I mentioned earlier we have come here for the three points”, he said.
Aizawl FC head coach, Stanley Rozario said, “On Monday, it is the Northeast Derby and it is going to be a difficult match. Lajong is not an easy side to play.” “We had less time to prepare for this match but I believe that my boys will do their best and get the three points.”
