I-League Media Team

SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC will play their last match of the Hero I-League season at the JN Stadium here on Saturday and they could not have a more important fixture as it will be a battle to avoid relegation. What will make this contest all the more difficult is that they will be going up against the mighty East Bengal, who will do them no favours as the Kolkatan team are aiming for a third place finish to their campaign.

East Bengal have fond memories of playing in Shillong, having thrashed SLFC 4-0 the last time the two teams faced off in the Pine City, a result that the Reds would surely like to put behind them.

This season has been a thoroughly disappointing one for Lajong and their fans. Finishing last 2013-14 on a high of sixth place, they have never really got their campaign going this time around and even six straight home games has not been much of an advantage, with SLFC losing three of these, drawing one and winning just two.

The hosts are coming into this fixture on the back of two consecutive losses and with a defence that is still weak, going up against the Red & Gold brigade will be no easy task.

Both teams have relied on a couple of players to score the bulk of their goals – for the visitors it has been Nigerians Ranti Martins (leading the chart with 17) and Dudu Omagbemi (seven), while for Lajong Cornell Glen (13) and Uilliams Souza Silva (seven) have led the way.

However, the home team will be able to field a reasonably strong team, with Uilliams coming back from suspension, while coach Thangboi Singto also indicated that captain Aiborlang Khongjee may be able to play after sitting out several games with a persistent injury. The tourists, meanwhile, have an injury concern in Gurwinder Singh, while Shylo Malsawmatulanga will miss the match after picking up a red card in the previous outing.

East Bengal won the reverse fixture back on February 1 and the Kolkatans have a slight advantage when it comes to head-to-head, winning two and losing one of the five matches the two clubs have played against each other. EB have also managed to reverse a slump in form by winning their most recent match, against Royal Wahingdoh FC; they had previously lost three I-League matches on the trot and had gone winless in two AFC Cup matches as well.

Last year’s runners-up are currently in fourth place on 29 points, just one behind Wahingdoh, who have finished off their season. They are also tied on points with fifth-placed Pune FC, who will face Sporting Clube de Goa on the same day.

The lowest position East Bengal can finish in is fifth place, something SLFC could only dream of.

A victory for Lajong would assure them a place in the next season and, with all four of Saturday’s matches being held at the same time, they will not have the luxury of a wait and see approach.

The Reds are in ninth spot, one place and one point ahead of Dempo. Bharat FC are at the bottom for the moment, but even if they finish there they will not be relegated as part of their direct entry deal into the I-League.

So the battle to avoid the drop revolves around Salgaocar, Sporting, Lajong and Dempo, with each team involved on Saturday.

Kick-off: 30-05-2015@4:30 PM
 

Hashtag: #SLFCvKEB