By I-League Media

SHILLONG: Hero I-League is back again to the Pine City of Shillong which is all set to host what is expected to be an exciting first round contest between hosts Shillong Lajong FC and Mumbai FC at the JN Stadium here at 4.30 pm on Sunday.

As hosts, a lot will be at stake for the Reds who did not have the best of seasons last year when they finished ninth out of 11 teams and were lucky to have escaped the drop.

Coach, Thangboi Singto, however, is well aware that his boys have their task cut out this season.

During a pre-match press conference in the city on Saturday afternoon Singto said, “Last year we didn’t do that well, but it’s a new season and new beginning. We have to set our targets higher and I expect to start well and do well this season.”

Dormant about their intentions initially, the Reds have made a few signings just on time to bolster their chances in the coveted league.

The Reds added Brazilian striker Fabio Pena Henrique and Japanese defender Yusuke Yamagata on their roster for the 2015-16 edition of the I-League just before the New Year and recalled the tried and tested Penn Orji to their ranks a couple of days ago.

Despite the latest additions Lajong, it seems, have made up their mind to depend on the youths they have nurtured over the years to take them through the I-League this season.

“We need both the intelligence (of the seniors) and the legs (i.e. stamina) of the youngsters,” Singto added.

Lajong was mostly reliant on Cornell Glen last season and in his absence the likes of Orji, Uilliams and Henrique would look to make a mark upfront.

Mumbai too come to the tie with a side which is a mix of youth and experience and their animated coach Khalid Jamil is well aware of the challenge his side will be up against tomorrow.

“It will be a very difficult game,” he said in the pre-match press conference adding that the team needs a good start and certainly needs “to get something from here”.

Eric Brown and Arata Azumi (loan from Atletico de Kolkata) are expected to provide the much needed impetus but the heads will really be on Minchol Son who returns to face his old club in this match.

Lajong have won four of the last five matches they played against Mumbai and have a decent home record against the visitors.

All in all an exciting contest is on the cards in the opener in Shillong on Sunday.