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Shillong Lajong - Dempo Preview:
Credits:Goal.com
Dempo SC travel to Shillong to take on Shillong Lajong FC in a Round 20 I-League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday. The two teams had met earlier in the league, with Thangboi Singto's men being the surprise 2-0 winners in Goa.
This would be the sixth time these two teams would meet, with the history favouring the north eastern side who have raked up three wins with a draw thrown in.
Lajong, who had finished sixth last season have somehow lost their way this time around. Instead of building on from there, they have slipped up and currently find themselves ninth, only two points above bottom placed, Sporting clube de Goa.
Their opponents have failed to deceive similarly as they are on the seventh spot, after finishing fourth last term. Trevor James Morgan has taken over after Arthur Papas was given the pink slip in the middle of the season.
It seemed like Singto had turned their season around with a 6-0 thrashing handed out to Mumbai FC and then followed it up with three consecutive draws. However, a disappointing loss against Salgaocar FC at home has again put them back to square one.
Having two of his first choice defenders, Robin Gurung and skipper AIborlang Khongjee missing hasn't helped Singto's cause and it looks like Pritam Singh and Samuel Shadap will have to make do yet again.
In attack though, Singto has all the firepower needed to pick points against any team in the league. Lack of clinical finishing was been their bane, as was evident against Mohun Bagan and Bharat FC. Cornell Glen, Uilliams Souza and Penn Orji who have been in fine form recently, will have to carry the burden of scoring for the Reds of Shillong.
The Golden Eagles, meanwhile have had a topsy turvy form off a late, after a poor start to their season. A win against Mumbai FC was followed by a defeat to Pune FC. While they did bounce back by defeating Royal Wahingdoh, a loss in their last match against East Bengal where they were completely outclassed, has certainly come at the wrong time for Morgan.
This would be the sixth time these two teams would meet, with the history favouring the north eastern side who have raked up three wins with a draw thrown in.
Lajong, who had finished sixth last season have somehow lost their way this time around. Instead of building on from there, they have slipped up and currently find themselves ninth, only two points above bottom placed, Sporting clube de Goa.
Their opponents have failed to deceive similarly as they are on the seventh spot, after finishing fourth last term. Trevor James Morgan has taken over after Arthur Papas was given the pink slip in the middle of the season.
It seemed like Singto had turned their season around with a 6-0 thrashing handed out to Mumbai FC and then followed it up with three consecutive draws. However, a disappointing loss against Salgaocar FC at home has again put them back to square one.
Having two of his first choice defenders, Robin Gurung and skipper AIborlang Khongjee missing hasn't helped Singto's cause and it looks like Pritam Singh and Samuel Shadap will have to make do yet again.
In attack though, Singto has all the firepower needed to pick points against any team in the league. Lack of clinical finishing was been their bane, as was evident against Mohun Bagan and Bharat FC. Cornell Glen, Uilliams Souza and Penn Orji who have been in fine form recently, will have to carry the burden of scoring for the Reds of Shillong.
The Golden Eagles, meanwhile have had a topsy turvy form off a late, after a poor start to their season. A win against Mumbai FC was followed by a defeat to Pune FC. While they did bounce back by defeating Royal Wahingdoh, a loss in their last match against East Bengal where they were completely outclassed, has certainly come at the wrong time for Morgan.
Add to this, Jewel Raja have been suspended by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee. Tolgay Ozbey has scored four goals in his last three substitute appearances and Morgan will hope for the same, but indicated he can come on 'only after half time'
Carlos Hernandez will still be missing with a groin injury while long term absentees, Pronay Haldar and Narayan Das continue to be sidelines with injuries. Haroon Amiri who had to go off early in the match against East Bengal has been added to the list of absentees.
Tolgay Ozbey would most likely partner Sushil Singh upfront as they will look to make the most of a leaky Lajong defense which has conceded 23 goals this season. Dempo would also need to shore up their defense as Calum Angus and Debabrata Roy struggled to contain the East Bengal strikers last weekend.
Three points separate the two sides, admittedly with Lajong having a game in hand but the encounter will surely be a six pointer to get out of the relegation showdown.
Tolgay Ozbey would most likely partner Sushil Singh upfront as they will look to make the most of a leaky Lajong defense which has conceded 23 goals this season. Dempo would also need to shore up their defense as Calum Angus and Debabrata Roy struggled to contain the East Bengal strikers last weekend.
Three points separate the two sides, admittedly with Lajong having a game in hand but the encounter will surely be a six pointer to get out of the relegation showdown.
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