By Shillong Lajong FC Media

SHILLONG: Shillong 2^nd September: Defending Champions of the Shillong Premier League ‘Super Division’, Shillong Lajong FC will kick start this year’s new season campaign against Local Rivals Rangdajied United FC on the 3rd of September at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Shillong at 4 pm.

Lajong will field its Youth Academy Products just like in the previous year with Samuel Shadap and newcomer Monotosh Ghosh being the only two players above the age of 22.

The first match of the tournament is always crucial. It is the ultimate test to determine the Team’s strengths and weaknesses. Lajong Junior Reds will look to defend the title this year as they are also considered to be the top contenders in the League. A Major bunch of the youngsters have I-League experience already, and thus, it is an added advantage for Singto’s youthful squad.

Nim Dorjee Tamang who scored his first I-League goal last season and also won the Man of the Match award will be playing an important role at the centre of Lajong’s Defense. Jacob who also has I-League experience will be positioned at the Centre of the Park to supply good passes and creating important plays for the team. Lalrammuana and Shaiborlang Kharpan who also have I-League experience last season, will look to play a crucial role upfront and convert the chances into Goals and collectively win matches for the Club.

These are some of the positives which will be a contributing factor to Lajong’s level of confidence and a powerful performance is expected from Lajong’s Young Guns in this edition of the Shillong Premier League.

The Shillong Premier League this season will also be a test for the players who have not made their I-League debut and Coach Thangboi Singto is determined to instil more confidence in them so that the boys deliver incredible performances. This will help them prove themselves to the Coaching Staff, which will only be a step forward for them to secure a place in the next season of the I-League.

Commenting on the first match to Lajong Media, Thangboi Singto believes that the first match will help him understand where the team stands.

“To Defend we need to play good football, compact and team Football.”

“The Boys must remain fit and injury free and stick together in good and bad Times.”

“Rangdajied is an experienced team and probably will play with a foreign striker. We need to stay strong defensively and not concede easy goals”, he concluded.

Meanwhile, Rangdajied United FC is also considered to be strong contenders in the League and will look to deliver good performances throughout the tournament.

The team boasts of a talented bunch of footballers with a mix of young talent and experienced players.

The last time the two teams played a competitive match in the Senior Category, was in the (Second) Semi-Finals, in the last edition of the Shillong Premier League 2014.

The Blues succumbed to a 1-2 defeat, which saw Lajong advancing to the Finals to lift the trophy. Rangdajied United FC will be coached by Khlain Syiemlieh and his side will hope to give a better performance this season.

While the Reds will work hard to New Challenges this Season, Rupert Nongrum will lead the Young Lads as Captain of the Team for this season and Nim Dorjee Tamang will be the Vice-Captain.

The Reds will need to remain composed and consistent throughout the tournament in hopes of Defending the Title and retaining the Trophy with the Reds this year.