AIFF Media Team

AIZAWL: In a mid-table clash here at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Thursday, Aizawl FC take on Rajasthan United FC in the Hero I-League. But there is still so little difference between third-placed Gokulam Kerala and the rest (except wooden-spooners Sudeva Delhi) that the winning team tomorrow can jump quite a few places.

While defending champions Gokulam are on 24 points, Aizawl have 20 points in the kitty and Rajasthan have 18. Therefore, a victory will take Pushpender Kundu’s men ahead of Aizawl. But playing at a high altitude is never easy and Aizawl are a tough team to beat at home. They have lost only once at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium this season, to Gokulam Kerala, while drawing two and winning four.

Citing this, Aizawl coach Caetano Pinho said on the eve of the match, “Rajasthan United FC are definitely not an easy team to beat, but with due respect to them, it is our home match and we are going for all three points.”

His midfielder Lalchhanhima Sailo was even more specific. “We are going to try and score within the first 15 minutes,” he remarked.

Rajasthan United coach Pushpender Kundu, understandably, sounded cautious.

“These are different conditions for us, but a couple of our players are from Mizoram. Those who are not also have had the experience of playing here, so they are all comfortable. We’re prepared for the pressure,” he said.

Aizawl’s performance has been up and down since Hero I-League resumed last month. They could not get past Real Kashmir in the New Year’s first match, then defeated Sudeva in New Delhi. But went down to NEROCA in Imphal before coming back to winning ways against Mohammedan Sporting here on Republic Day.

This inconsistency could provide Pushpender with some hope. However, his own team’s situation is not too inspiring. The coach is aware of that and said “We lost a couple of key players to the Indian Super League in the winter transfer window, but these things are part and parcel of the game. We are hoping to put up a good performance tomorrow.”

The match between Aizawl FC and Rajasthan United FC will be telecast live on Eurosport, DD Sports and Discovery Plus OTT platform from 2pm.