The Red & Golds will keep an eye on league leaders Chennai City FC, who are just three points ahead of them. Chennai has played a game more.

The game is crucial for Churchill who is at fourth. A win on Sunday would catapult them to second as the league enters a crucial phase.

The hosts eked out an impressive odd-goal win against the Goan outfit in the first leg game the previous year. Given how QEB beat Shillong Lajong 5-0 in the previous game, Churchill will be wary of the home team’s form.

Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia got the best out of QEB’s Indian and foreign players. He has used the squad judiciously throughout the campaign.

Garcia’s team is the only in the 11-team league to have an Indian player as top-scorer. Jobby Justin’s nine goals make him numero uno in the goal scorer’s list. Laldanmawia Ralte scored seven goals and is second best in QEB’s scoring charts.

Garcia said this at the pre-game press conference: “Churchill Brothers is a difficult team. This team has always been close to the top of the table and they score very easily which is very dangerous for our team. I prepare to win matches and if I prepare something for defence, then it will not be for one player. It will be for defending against the team and to avoid the opponent getting chances. We have our plan to win against Churchill Brothers and not against Plaza or anyone individually.”

Churchill endured a shock-loss to bottom-placed Shillong Lajong at home. It may come to haunt them as the league reaches its business end.

They have had two standout contributors this season. Trinidadian striker Willis Deon Plaza has notched up a phenomenal 17 goals in as many games. He was scoring at will at one stage of the campaign!

Skipper Dawda Cessay has been the other standout player. His nine assists are the most by any player in the league. As revealed by their coach, his absence will be a big blow for Churchill.

Churchill’s Romanian coach Petre Gigui had this to say: “Tomorrow’s match is not a do or die match for us. We will be fighting like every other game but it will be difficult. It is not the same atmosphere because we have lost many points in the last three games. Maybe the pressure was too much and at the same time we don’t have the complete first 11 players – Eldor, Ceesay, Mohanraj, Richard Costa – they are all injured and won’t be playing tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be playing against a very good team. They have good players and very good foreigners too. Plus their spectators’ support will be there because the people in Kolkata love their football.”

Expect a cracker at the VYBK on Sunday!

Also Read: Gokulam and Arrows share honors in dour contest

Also Read: Late Singh goal helps Bagan beat Aizawl

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Shillong is in good form and is aiming to get out of the relegation zone. The game will kick off at 5 PM IST at the Salt Lake stadium.

The hosts are on 28 points from 14 games. Leaders Chennai City FC is on 34, having played two games more. A win on Thursday will take QEB into third place. Shillong is the bottom-placed side at the moment, having earned just 10 points from 15 games.

QEB has won three games on the trot. Shillong notched up two wins against Churchill Brothers and Minerva Punjab FC respectively. A confidence booster to Allison Kharsyntiew’s young team!

“We have a belief that we can definitely score and give our best for tomorrow’s game. East Bengal is a very good team they have skilled players, but we have to try for the three points. Our strategy will be teamwork and to play attacking football. We have to work very hard to be in a better position on the points table. Just hoping the boys to score more goals in tomorrow’s match,” said Kharsyntiew in the pre-game press conference.

For all of their attacking prowess, a leaky back-line has been Shillong’s undoing this season. They conceded a whopping 39 goals.

QEB look solid and Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia has put together a team with most bases plugged.

They are the third-highest scoring team and the third-lowest team in terms of goals conceded. QEB is third on the list of most clean sheets.

QEB’s attack looks menacing with the league’s highest Indian scorer Jobby Justin. Enrique Esqueda is back from injury and young Spaniard Jamie Santos Colado and Laldanmawia Ralte have delivered up front.

Justin scored two of his eight league goals in the away fixture against Shillong and helped QEB win 3-1.

Garcia’s thoroughly professional approach was evident in the pre-game press conference: “We have to respect the opponent. They have been having good results and we think that if we don’t respect the opponent, we won’t be winning the match. Have been thinking about tomorrow’s match only and not about the final day. Shillong team’s strong point is they try to have more ball possession and have many players in the center and make combination passes. Their strikers are fast and have good control of the ball.”

QEB supporters will be there in numbers to back their team.

Also Read: Chennai City and Neroca share spoils in six-goal thriller

Also Read: India will bounce back says head coach Rocky

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Kahani FC play MSP Academy in the opener (9 am kickoff).

Ten teams have made it to the second or the playoff stage of the tournament (to be played from January 15 to 24) to be played after the preliminary zonal round. The ten teams are divided into two groups of five each. The top two teams from each group (and the best third-placed team) will make it to the final round where 11 more teams will join the fray. The final round is set to get underway from January 27.

The playoff round will be played at Navelim Ground and Utorda Ground.

Along with a host of football academies and local clubs across India a number of I-League and Indian Super League (ISL) teams will also play. The likes of Real Kashmir, Minerva Punjab, Shillong Lajong, Aizawl FC, Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters have made it to the playoffs.

Group I
Real Kashmir FC
Kahani FC
MSP Football Academy
Minerva Punjab FC
FC Mangalore

Group II
Kerala Blasters FC
Aizawl FC
Raman Vijayan Soccer School
Jamshedpur FC
Shillong Lajong FC

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Superb Chennai do the double over East Bengal

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Arrows blank listless Shillong with first-half masterclass

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Vikram Pratap Singh (18th minute), Lalengmawia (32nd minute) and Ninthoi (45 + 3 minutes) scored for Arrows.

Arrows pressed hard right from the start and went on the offensive.

They constantly troubled the Lajong defence but were found wanting for a good finish.

Such was the nature of Arrows’ early blitz that it took Lajong a while to regroup!

Lajong missed a great chance to score when Kitrboklang fluffed his lines in the 11th minute.

Arrows opened the scoring when Singh’s superb header found the back of the net in the 18th minute.

Aashish Rai provided the assist with a fine cross!

Shillong for all of their efforts couldn’t go past the strong Arrows defence.

Arrows scored again when Lalengmawia hit home off Singh’s pass in the 32nd minute.

Credit to Arrows goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill who denied Lajong a comeback goal.

Arrows made it 3-0 at the end of the first half when Ninthoi found the back of the net from a rebound.

Though Lajong introduced Phrangki Buam in the second-half it didn’t work as the Arrows’ back-line held firm.

The home team did create a few chances but were denied a fourth goal by Lajong.

A focused Lajong defence kept the bristling Arrows strike-force at bay in the second-half.

Optea and Buam failed to score off a simple chance in the 74th minute. A goal then would have given Lajong a glimmer of hope!

Arrows dominated the game throughout while defensive lapses cost Lajong the game.

Lalengmawia was adjudged the ‘Hero of the Match’.

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Norde magic helps Bagan down Neroca FC

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Real Kashmir inch closer to top after Aizawl stalemate

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Under Alison Kharsyntiew, Shillong, who opted for youth as against foreign recruits this season, find themselves at the bottom of the 11-team league. They have suffered nine losses and have conceded a whopping 33 goals so far – the highest in the league!

Their only win (against Aizawl in October 2018) seems like ages ago. Shillong have been on the receiving end of two 6-1 drubbings this season – a fact which highlights their predicament.

They also had lost their previous away game against Arrows. Arrows, on the other hand, have been impressive throughout with the team seemingly hungry for success. Of course credit must go to coach Floyd Pinto for shaping a resilient and competitive side.

Also the inclusion of U-16 youngsters Vikram Pratap Singh and Rohit Danu has given them the much needed attacking zest to blend in with their organised defence and midfield.

“Shillong Lajong play good attacking football. Any game between the two elite youth clubs is going to be tough. Both the teams will be giving their 100 per cent. We scored in our last game but it was pretty close. Our aim will be to get the three points. The game tomorrow will be totally different because both the teams are having young players. These kinds of matches give them a platform to play with good players and bigger football clubs,” said Pinto.

Arrows have beaten the likes of Aizawl, Gokulam and Shillong and have given the stronger teams (read: East Bengal and Minerva Punjab) a run for their money. Shillong too have had their positives. They have scored 13 goals to Arrows’ five — a fact which showcases their attacking prowess.

Midfielder Phrangki Buam —  one of the finds of the season — is among the highest scorers in the league with four goals. Shillong’s young brigade will be wanting to avenge their previous loss to Arrows on Sunday.

Kharsyntiew was optimistic about his team’s chances at the pregame press conference: “We have scored 13 goals and conceded 33. The most important thing for the boys is to attack in the defence. If our defence is good we can defeat any team. The boys are ready for tomorrow’s match they will go all out and give their 100 percent. The players have worked really hard in the training and our aim is to get the three points. Indian Arrows is a good team they have good players like Boris. Their game is very intense with immense speed, our defence and mid field have to cope up to their speed.”

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Bagan down Minerva to stay alive in title race

Also Read: Tricky but still very possible! A look at India’s Knockout round chances 

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The game also marks the beginning of the second half of the top-flight football league. Both teams will play their 11th game, having completed the first round of 10 games in the 11-team league. The winner of the Hero I-League will only emerge after the completion of the second round of 10 games for each team.

Neroca seem like a formidable unit under the stewardship of Spanish coach Manuel Fraile. Also, the return of key players like Katsumi Yusa, Singham Subhash Singh and Lalit Thapa will give them a major shot in the arm.

It may be noted that their Australian medio Aryn Glen Williams, striker Felix Chidi and defenders Eduardo, Varney Kallon and Ashok Singh are in good form. It would be difficult for the Shillong youngsters to play against this bunch at home!

“We must have focus because this team is now different. Now they are trying not to get relegated, take points. We are in very good momentum now. To be honest, we must get those three points, because our next game is against Mohun Bagan again,” said Fraile who displayed cautious optimism in the pre-match press chat.

On the other hand, Shillong will try and take heart from their previous game against Neroca where they lost 1-2 after a hard-fought clash. Buam scored a wonderful goal in that game and the likes of Sheen and captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia would also aim to replicate the good form displayed then.

Coach Alsion Kharsyntiew who chose to look at the positives had this to say: “I know we have been losing all other games, but if you look at the positive side it is good development for the young players. Tomorrow is a very important match for us as we need three points. I know it is difficult against Neroca. It is a good team with good experienced players but hopefully, our players will perform tomorrow. Last year when we were here we won our three points so hope to win it this year too.”

He, however, has injury concerns with defenders Rakesh Pradhan and Aibhan missing the last game. Also, his team’s unwanted record of having conceded a whopping 30 goals (by far the highest in the league) is a stat that cannot be overlooked.

Shillong have scored 11 goals so far while Neroca have 13 — an indicator of where the game may be won or lost.

The home side are unbeaten in their last five games, while Shillong were on the receiving end of a couple of 1-6 drubbings in two of their last three games. As things stand it would be tough for Shillong to stop Neroca.

But given that they possess a fearless young attack…you never know!

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Mumbai FC having collected 8 points from their opening 4 games in the I-League 2015-16 season, went-on to collect a slender 5 points in the next-10 games. The home-team – winless in their 10 games – needed at least 4 points from an available 6 coming into the game against Shillong Lajong.

The opening 5 minutes of the first-half saw both sides share a hatful of chances; as the hosts created a better set of opportunities, coming close from a half-chance to Steven Dias. Throughout the first-45 minutes, the two teams struggled to get an upper-hand and control in the midfield area, dominating the area in patches. While, Mumbai FC were being increasing frustrating from the chances created; failing to convert the two big chances, first, Taisuke Matsugae misfired his shot after a darting run through the middle, and second, Eric Brown’s volleyed attempt to the near-post was saved by Vishal Kaith in-goal for Shillong Lajong.

Mumbai FC were presented with more time on the ball; penetrating between the lines expertly, at times with good interchange play from the midfield pairing of captain Taisuke Matsugae and Hitesh Sharma helping exploit the gaps in-between Shillong Lajong’s attack, midfield and defence.

By the time the first-half crossed its midway point, neither side assured real dominance in the final-third area. Mumbai FC were depended on attacking through the middle, where they had a 3 versus 2 situation. Whereas, Shillong Lajong approached their attacks in a more direct sense with heavy reliability on their two front-men: Fabio Henrique Pena and Penn Ikechuk Wu Orji.

The home team came closer to scoring the game’s opening goal on a hatful of occasions, but marginally missed-out due to lack of incisiveness from the two wide-men, and the lone front-man Shushil Singh looked stretched heavily doing too much in little time.

During a similar transition, where Mumbai FC penetrated between the lines, Eric Brown was needlessly fouled in the middle just outside the 18-yard-box. Steven Dias stepped-up and delivered with a world-class free-kick to give Mumbai FC the lead before the halftime whistle.

Into the second-half, and the away team brought a change in their gameplay with little gaps to exploit, bringing structure in their attack and defence. During a rare spell, which forced Mumbai FC towards their 18-yard-box, a mix-up inside the box resulted in a penalty being awarded to Shillong Lajong, when Anwar Ali tripped Penn Ikechuk Wu Orji. Fabio Henrique Pena sent Kunal Sawant in the wrong direction to level-up the scoring on 58 minutes.

A majority portion of the remaining game saw Mumbai FC and Shillong Lajong produce a series of long-range efforts, which rarely troubled either of the goalkeepers. The hosts introduced Arata Izumi and a much-needed second-striker Ryuki Kozawa to go all-out for the winner, in a match Mumbai FC Coach Khalid Jamil dubbed as “do-or-die situation”, in his pre-match press conference.

Having looked dangerous from set-pieces throughout the match, a flashing header from Minchol Son in the 86th minute gave Mumbai FC a much needed maximum points.

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Khalid Jamil’s side who is at the bottom of the league needs to win this tie anyhow to stand a chance of surviving this season.

The Gaffer himself accepted its a must win match for The Yellow Submarines.

“Everytime we have face Lajong it hasn’t been a easy match. If you take them leniently they will punish you.”

“Tomorrow is our last chance, its a do or die situation. It will be very difficult to beat them considering their better record against us.” Head Coach Khalid added.

When asked about what changes does Mumbai F.C need, Khalid said: “Our home performance has been good but we have been quite bad in away games.”

“We have played defensive football in most of our games, given our situation we need to play attacking football now.” Khalid said ahead of their game against Shillong Lajong.

“Other than Pratik, who is suspended for tomorrow’s game, rest everyone is fit and available.” Khalid said when asked about the availability of players.

Khalid seemed quite impressed with  Lajong’s Forward Penn Orgi who is having a great season so far.

“Penn has been good this season, he scored two great goals in their last match. Along with Penn even Lajong’s junior players has been impressive.”

Like Khalid, Lajong’s gaffer Thangboi Singto also spoke about the importance of tomorrow’s match.

“A good result is a must for us and as well as for Mumbai FC. It is going to be a tough game as the last game against Goa we didn’t perform as we expected to. We are professionals so we’re ready to take all the challenges tomorrow.”

“Mumbai FC has one of the best individuals, foreigners and as well as Indians. They have good players in each of the positions.” Thangboi added.

Thangboi also announced that Defender Aiborlang Khongjee will miss the match following an injury.

“Aiborlang Khongjee has not travelled with the squad as he is injured. Along with him, our Brazilian Striker Uilliams is suspended and will miss the match.”

On the competitiveness of I-league, Thangboi said: “This is a competitive league, you have to fight for every position, right from the top to bottom.”

“This is the ground where we had our best result in the history of Lajong. So playing on artificial turf won’t bother us.” Lajong’s Head Coach Thangboi added.

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Over the years Mumbai F.C has played Shillong Lajong 14 times. The latter has an upper hand with seven wins whereas Mumbai F.C has four wins to their name. It will be quite interesting to see which outfit will come out on top when they lock horns on Sunday.

Let’s have a look at the last five league games played between the two sides:

Mumbai F.C 2-3 Shillong Lajong – 23^rd October, 2013

Cornell Glenn’s heroic was enough to give Shillong Lajong all three points against a mighty Mumbai F.C side when the Trinidad & Tobago Striker scored two past Kunal Sawant in a 3-2 victory.

Current Mumbai F.C’s Captain Taisuke Matsugae scored the opening goal on the 6^th minute, not for The Yellow Submarines though. Before joining Mumbai F.C in 2014, Taisuke played for Shillong Lajong alongside Minchol Son who will ironically represent Mumbai F.C when they meet on Sunday.

Taisuke’s opener was levelled by Sandjar Ahmadi just ten minutes later with a swift strike past Shillong’s custodian Vinay Singh. In the second-half, Cornell Glenn scored, not once but twice within twenty minutes to give Shillong a splendid 3-1 lead.

Mumbai F.C’s defender Ritesh Perambra did pulled one back in the injury time but it was too late too little as Shillong Lajong ran out as winners.

Shillong Lajong 1-2 Mumbai F.C – 30^th March, 2014

In the corresponding fixture at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Khalid Jamil’s men came from 1-0 down to win the match 2-1, thanks to Alfred Jaryan and Defender Ashutosh Mehta’s goal which completed a sensational comeback.

Cornell Glenn had opened the scoring on the 19^th minute whose powerful strike left Mumbai F.C’s Goalkeeper Nidhinlal absolutely no chance to keep it out. However, Mumbai F.C resorted parity in the first minute of first half stoppage time with a goal from Alfred Jaryan.

The Yellow Submarines took off from where they had left in the first half and seized the control of the game right from the outset in the second period. Mumbai F.C were rewarded in the 50^th minute when Ashutosh Mehta scored to complete the comeback and put Mumbai F.C in the lead on enemy territory.

Shillong Lajong 1-0 Mumbai F.C – 25^th January, 2015

Mumbai F.C travelled to Meghalaya Capital in the newly season of HERO I-league 2015-16 in order to emulate the same result they inflicted on Shillong a year back.

But it proved out to be fatal for The Yellow Submarines as Boithang Haokip’s strike on the 58^th minute turned out to be decisive. Khalid Jamil’s side couldn’t break Shillong’s backline who stood like a wall in front of Mumbai FC.

This was also the first time Taisuke Matsugae faced his former club in I-league.

Mumbai F.C 0-6 Shillong Lajong – 3^rd April, 2015

This was undoubtedly one of the most one sided match between both the clubs. Shillong Lajong travelled to the commercial capital in hope to do a double against The Yellow Submarines and they did succeed, by registering a mammoth 6-0 victory.

Cornell Glenn and Penn Orgi scored two quick goals in the first half to put Shillong in front and continued their dominance by scoring four more goals in the second half.

It took Zodingliana Ralte and Cornell Glenn just six minutes in the second half to put the tie to bed after yet another quick-fire goals. Uilliams Bomfim and Milan Singh scored the 5^th and 6^th goal in the injury time to complete a 6-0 rout.

Shillong Lajong 0-0 Mumbai F.C – 10^th January, 2016

Mumbai F.C put up a decent display but had to settle for a 0-0 draw in their opening match of HERO I-league 2016 season. With some new faces in the side, a draw at Lajong was nothing but a good result for both the clubs.

Both sides had their share of chances, more so in the first half, but failed to capitalize on them. Despite having to share the points, The Yellow Submarines gulped the fact that it’s much publicized new core brigade delivered at the highest level when it mattered the most.

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Since defeating Bengaluru F.C 2-0 at Cooperage Stadium in January, Khalid Jamil’s men has gone without registering a win in their last 10 I-league matches. Mumbai F.C’s home record has stayed intact though where The Yellow Submarines are yet to lose a game at their fortress.

Ironically, the last team to get the better of Khalid Jamil’s men at Cooperage Stadium was none other than Shillong Lajong itself when they defeated The Yellow Submarines 6-0 last season.

History

Formulated by Shri Kitdor Syiem and P.D. Sawyan, two football fanatics from the city of Shillong in 1982, the aim was always to put Shillong on the map of Indian Football. Together with a group of friends and supporters, they commissioned a semi-professional club aptly called Lajong Football Club literally translating into “Our own” or “of the people”.

However, their dream took its own time to realize and twenty seven years later, Shillong Lajong gained promotion to the I-League. Since then the Shillong outfit have been a main stay in the I-League and has further realized the dreams of their two founders.

Shillong Lajong gained promotion to the I-league for the 2009-10 season but unfortunately finished at the bottom of the table and got relegated in the 2^nd Division of I-league. It took Shillong only one season to get back into the top tier of Indian football when they defeated Mohammedan S.C 1-0 in the 2^nd Division Final round.

Head Coach

Thangboi Singto has been Shillong Lajong’s First Team Head Coach since 2014, when he took over as interim manager of the club, who were at that time fighting for their lives in the I-League with just 15 points from 17 games. Singto quite tactfully steered them to safety and since then has been at the helm of the Shillong based club.

Singto has instilled a great attacking style of play at Shillong, which our fans very well know from their great win over Mumbai FC last season. Shillong Lajong are expected to be out with the same approach this time out as Thangboi Singto believes they are stronger than last time out.

Key Players
Cornell Glenn departure to Mohun Bagan saw Shillong Lajong replacing him with Brazilian center forward Fabio Henrique, who has been terrific this season along with Uilliams as the duo has scored 7 goals combined so far. Midfielder Penn Orji has also proved to be the catalyst for Lajong with 2 goals to his name. In the defense, Aiborlang Khongjee and Zodingiana Ralte who was not only impressive in the Indian Super League but has also continued their fine form in I-league.

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