Shillong, Oct 25:The Hero I-League 2018-19 season kicks off on the 26th October and this season will be Shillong Lajong’s ninth season of participation in India’s top tier competition. Lajong is set to play their first game of the season on Sunday against Aizawl FC on 28th October 2018 at 5pm in the JN Stadium, Shillong.
In the brand new season of the I-League, there will be 11 teams vying for the title from across the country: Lajong, Aizawl and Neroca will be the three North Eastern Clubs; East Bengal and Mohun Bagan from West Bengal; Chennai City from Tamil Nadu; Gokulam Kerala FC from Kerala; title holders Minerva Punjab FC from Punjab; 2nd Division Champions Real Kashmir FC from Kashmir, AIFF Development Team – Indian Arrows will be based from Cuttack and Churchill Brothers from Goa have been reinstated this season.
Shillong Lajong’s I-league squad for this season will comprise of the youngsters who are currently playing the Shillong Premier League. These boys ended the league stage at the top of the SPL table with 26 points and will be playing the finals against Langsning FC.
In the previous season of the I-League, Shillong Lajong finished in the 6th position with 22 points. As many as eight players made their I-League debuts last season namely, Samuel Kynshi, Allen Lyngdoh, Kynsailang Khongsit, Lalrohlua, Phurba Lachenpa, Sheen Sohktung, Kenstar Kharshong and Rakesh Pradhan.
Lajong Academy Product, Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi scored his first I-League thereby becoming the youngest Khasi player from Meghalaya to score in the I-League.
Lajong’s first game of the new 2018-19 season will be against North East rivals, Aizawl FC who finished one place ahead of Lajong in the previous season. Aizawl won the first leg of the Derby by a 2-1 margin while Lajong won the second leg by the same score line. They netted 21 goals in total and conceded 18 during the season.
Samuel Lalmuanpuia will captain The Reds for the second consecutive season. Speaking ahead of the I-League opener, the 20 year old forward said, “We need to work hard as a team and have a strong belief and determination.”
“It will be a tough season but we look forward to giving our best, get positive results and take one game at a time.”
Speaking ahead of the start of the new season, Coach Alison Kharsyntiew said, “It’s going to be a very exciting and a challenging season for me because we will field North East players only with no foreign players. We will be facing against tough teams in the League but we believe that our boys will give a good performance in every game, be strong, confident and motivated.”
“We have to be united and fight together as a team. We must take one game at a time and be focussed. We also need a good support from our fans and we hope they will turn up in huge numbers to watch the local players giving their hearts out in every match at the JN Stadium.”
The Squad of the Shillong Lajong FC, are Goalkeepers Mr Phurba Tempa Lachenpa Mr Neithovilie Chalieu. The defenders are, Kynsailang Khongsit , Allen Camper Lyngdoh Nongbri . Novin Gurung, Aibankupar Dohling, Habymmutshuh Nongrum, Kenstar Kharshong ,Rakesh Pradhan,Naoroibam Romen Singh.
Midfielders players are, Hardy Cliff Nongbri, F. Lalrohlua, Phrangki Buam, Freestar Kharbangar, Lalawmpuia Hnamte, Samuel James Lyngdoh Kynshi. The players that will play in the forwards are, Bonison Nongmaithem, Samuela Lalmuanpuia, Sheen Sohktung,Parvaj Bhuiya and Naorem Mahesh Singh.
