AIFF Media Team

SHILLONG: Thangboi Singto, Coach Shillong Lajong FC today (April 29, 2017) congratulated Aizawl FC Coach Khalid Jamil for spearheading Aizawl FC’s success in the 10th edition of the Hero I-League.

Speaking at the pre-match Press Conference, Singto recollected memories of both of them doing the AFC Pro Licence together. “We have always had a professional relationship. We did our pro-licence together for which we had to travel to Japan and it was quite an experience,” he uttered.

“I am very happy that an Indian Coach is on the verge of guiding his Team to a Hero I-League triumph and that’s a huge achievement. He (Khalid Jamil) has been the best Coach in the Hero I-League so far,” Singto added.

““The stakes are very high for the match. With due respect, I wish Aizawl FC the best but as a Club, we at Shillong Lajong FC are more at what we can do tomorrow,” he further stated.

“It’s important that we do well and we will do our best to win the match. Aizawl FC winning it tomorrow will be great but for us, it’s important that we win. Our approach has been that of a professional Club and at the end, whatever the result will is, I can definitely say that Football will be the winner.”

Meanwhile, Jamil admitted that he will be “missing Ashutosh Mehta and Alfred Jaryan.”

“I have always found Lajong to be a very tough opponent. They are so difficult to play, especially in Shillong. They play very compact and are defensively very strong and very dangerous when they attack.,” he maintained.

Jamil pronounced that there “won’t be any change in preparation.”

“There is no change in the preparation. We need to go and just give our best. We need to keep in mind that we need to finish well. We haven’t won the League as yet and to win it, we need to give our 100 percent. We cannot take it lightly.”

Reflecting on Aizawl’s success, Singto stressed that they have been “consistent” all throughout.

“Aizawl FC have surprised all this season. You cannot have luck backing you all the time. They have been consistent and have done well away and at home too and have hence, been successful,” he quipped.

Aizawl FC midfielder Brandon Vanlalremdika stressed that they “cannot get over-excited.”

“All of us are excited. But at the same time, we can never get over-excited. We need to take this as just another game. We will give our best,” he declared.