By I-League Media

KOLKATA: Kingfisher East Bengal are all set to host Shillong Lajong FC at the Barasat Stadium tomorrow in a midweek fixture of the Hero I-League.

While the Red and Golds are coming off a satisfying win against newcomers Aizawl FC, Lajong are also not falling behind who are on the back of two home victories.

The Reds have played four matches so far in the Hero I-League, winning their last two home matches against Sporting Clube de Goa and Salgaocar FC by a bleak margin of 1 goal each time. They were handed a heavy defeat when they travelled to Bengaluru in the third game week, their only away fixture in the ongoing Hero I-League till date.

Fabio Pena and Uilliams Souza have been among the goals and Thangboi Singto will look to them to breach the Red and Golds defence tomorrow. Singto reiterated that his team need to be rock solid at the back while praising their attacking intent.

“We need to approach the game with a winning mentality. The team has improved in attack and defence but not conceding will be the key tomorrow,” said Singto.

Penn Orji will be the vital cog in midfield and the new recruit Yusuke Yamagata will look to marshal the defence with veteran Aiborlang Khongjee.

Singto was cautious of the opponents as he said that East Bengal’s strength all across the board was something to contend with.

“It will be a very tough match tomorrow as their Indian bench strength is very strong. No doubt, it will be a challenging match,” he observed.

Biswajit Bhattacharya will be a relieved man as his team bounced back in style after the setback against Bengaluru FC. Bernard Mendy scored on his debut and he operated pretty well from the midfield, a place he would look to keep.

Do Dong-Hyun, who was substituted in the last match early on due to a poor display, was in the centre of controversy as he looked disgruntled at being brought off and was barred from training the next day due to indiscipline. However the South Korean seems to have apologised to the gaffer and will look to play a part against Lajong.

Cavin Lobo, who has recovered from his prolonged injury, might get a start in place of CS Sabeeth while Joaquim Abranches might feature in the starting lineup as well in place of Dong.

Arnab Mondal and Bello Rasaq will form the central defensive pairing as Biswajit looks focused on dislodging Bengaluru from the top of the table.

Lajong will look to make it three wins in a row while Kingfisher East Bengal will look to cement their title credentials after a brief stutter.