AIFF Media Team

SHILLONG: Barely a week after their Hero I-League’s last-match defeat, Kingfisher East Bengal will once again take on Shillong Lajong FC in their own backyard in their first outing of the Federation Cup on Sunday afternoon. The kick for which is at 5PM IST.

The visitors, especially their newly appointed coach Trevor Morgan, will be desperate to set the records straight against Thangboi Singto’s men who beat them 1-0 in a crucial I-League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong last Sunday.

After a disappointing Hero I-League outing by East Bengal’s standards, new gaffer Trevor Morgan, who has been at the helm of affairs of the side in the past as well is expected to leave no stone unturned to ensure he gets his comeback win early in the Hero Federation Cup.

Back home Lajong coach Thangboi Singto is wary of a vengeful East Bengal out to make amends and has already cautioned his boys against complacency in the crucial tie.

“East Bengal are always tough. We were a bit lucky to get that goal (last Sunday) and need to do better as a team,” Singto said at the Official Pre-Mach Press Conference.

“The format of the Federation Cup is different and it's good that we are starting at home. It would be a wrong approach to take this Tournament lightly”

“We want to win every game,” Singto added.

He further went on to say that the team spirit has always been there in Lajong and the same has helped his side to get to where it finished in the Hero I-League.

Talking about the tem composition he said, “We have a mix of experience and youth - that's the way we've gone and will continue to do so.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Penn Orji who has been deputed to lead the side in the Federation Cup in the absence of injured captain Aiborlang Khongjee, said that it was an honour to lead the Reds and thanked the club for giving him the responsibility.