Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
It has been an amazing unbeaten away run spread over a month from debutants Real Kashmir FC, and they would love to carry that on with a win when they come up against Shillong Lajong FC on Saturday, January 19 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
It is the second I-League game of the day and it begins at 5pm IST.
In the five games that Real Kashmir FC have been on the road over the last month, they have won two and drawn three to make them real contenders for a title in their debut season.
They would like to get the job done against a ragged home team that has copped 10 defeats in their 12 league games so far and the slide seems irreversible.
To add to the hosts’ woes, after an initial slow start, the visitors have also found their scoring boots, netting 15, a trend which began with a 6-1 drubbing of their Saturday opponents in the first leg fixture at Srinagar about a month back.
The memories of that game will weigh heavy on the hosts, as will the record of the weakest defence in the league having conceded 36 times.
But Shillong Lajong FC can score and the fact that Phrangki Buam (4), a wonderful young talent among many in the young Shillong Lajong FC side, is the joint-second highest Indian goalscorer, along with Danmawia (4) in the league after Joby Justin (7).
Players like Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Sheen and Kitboklang have shown enough promise and can be dangerous on their day.
Shillong Lajong FC gaffer Allison Khasyntiew said in the pre-game chat, “My job is to encourage the young team. They are the future of the National Team and the North East. The mentality is good. Dealing with young players, my main job is to guide them correctly. Kashmir is a difficult team to play with, but in a game, anything can happen. Our team will give our best.”
They will, however, be up against the stingiest defence of the league. Real Kashmir FC have so far let in only seven and coach David Robertson has certainly put up a wall ahead of a confident and sound Bilal in the Real Kashmir FC goal.
Speaking on the match-day eve, the affable coach said, “Shillong Lajong is a very difficult side to play against even though we are in a good spot and have won a few matches. Lajong plays in the same way but we have to give our best tomorrow. We are enjoying the occasion and the players we have. Our team is ready to play. We do not get carried away by the wins but we always try to put up a better match.”
The visitors, who need the win to keep their title hopes on track, are weary as evident in the game against Aizawl FC last week and Shillong Lajong FC can be dangerous on their day.
