I-LEAGUE Media Team

SHILLONG: Defeated but unbowed, Shillong Lajong FC will aim to roar back in the Hero I-League, following their 2-1 loss in the Shillong Derby last week, when they take on Mumbai FC at the JLN Stadium in Shillong on Sunday.

Mumbai arrived in Shillong after a bruising 3-1 loss to Mohun Bagan in their first match and coach Khalid Jamil expects another tough encounter. The two clubs were the only ones to lose their first round fixtures.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Saturday, Jamil expects the partisan crowd and cold weather conditions to be challenging.

The Mumbai coach also has injury worries in midfielder Paresh Shivalkar and striker Josimar.

His opposite number at SLFC, however, should be relieved with the fitness of new captain Aiborlang Khongjee, who missed the first game. The line-up has been further bolstered by the availability of foreigners Penn Orji and Uilliams Souza. Cornell Glen, who was used in the last game only as a substitute, is also fitter.

“It’s good to have quality foreigners in the squad,” Singto said at the press conference. “We have to leave the first game behind and tomorrow is a new day,” he added.

This will be the Reds’ final home game before they play four consecutive matches away and the fans will definitely expect a better performance from them than they were able to put up last week.

Glen, who was also present at the pre-match formalities, said that the youngsters in the squad are learning fast and the goal for the team is to do better than their sixth place finish last season.

Match KO: Sunday, 4:30 PM IST
Social media Hashtag: #SLFCvMUM