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It’s finally time for the first NorthEast Derby of the I-League 2017/18 season. Aizawl FC will host Shillong Lajong FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Monday, December 18 at 2pm. The match will betelecast live on Star Sports 2/Star Sports 2 HD/Hotstar App/Jio TV.
Before arriving in Aizawl, Shillong Lajong FC had two tough away fixtures in Kolkata against East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Even though it wasn’t the best start to their away campaign but they did pick up one point however from the Mohun Bagan encounter on December 14 in a match in which both sides converted a penalty. Head Coach Bobby Nongbet said that a point was a blessing after the previous 1-5 defeat to East Bengal.
Shillong Lajong FC is on 7 points after two wins and one draw from four matches so far. The last match saw Aiman Al Hagri’s return to the squad after recovering from injury but the Reds will continue to miss the service of their striker from Ivory Coast, Abdoulaye Koffi. Nevertheless, the young Lajong FC side will be expected to improve their performances and regain their winning form in the next match.
Aizawl FC and Shillong Lajong FC have met twice in Aizawl. On February 13, 2016, both sides played a goalless draw while Aizawl FC emerged as winners (2-1) in their second season Derby fixture of the I-League on January 17, 2017.
Shillong Lajong FC head coach Bobby Nongbet said, “We expect the team to play good attacking football. They need to work hard collectively to get three points.”
“The game will be very tough as Aizawl is a good team. They have done well in the last two games. But we are ready for the challenge.”
The Mizoram based club kicked started their I-League campaign with a 2-2 comeback draw against East Bengal in Kolkata. They came from two goals down and managed to level the score at 2-2 and snatched a crucial away point from their former coach Khalid Jamil’s new side.
Two weeks later, Aizawl FC then played their first home game of the season against Churchill Brothers on December 13. Japanese striker Yugo Kobayashi scored the late winner in the 88th minute. They have collected four points after one win and one draw.
Aizawl FC had retained the services of Liberian Alfred Jaryan from the previous season and David Lalrinmuana returned to Aizawl FC this season and both will be a threat in the centre of the park. Their Japanese striker Yugo Kobayashi along with the Ivorian Leonce Dodoz is expected of forming the attacking partnership while Nigerian centre back Kareem Nurain together with Masih Saighani from Afghanistan are set to be on defensive duties against Lajong FC.
