I-League: Shillong aim to improve standing (Preview)

Shillong Lajong FC will aim to improve on their best-ever position in the I-League when they take on Mumbai FC at the Cooperage Football Ground here on Sunday.

Shillong Lajong are currently at the fifth spot with 24 points from 16 games. A win on Sunday in their penultimate match of the season may see them upstage defending champions Bengaluru FC from the fourth position.

"We're currently in the fifth position. It is our best ever position in I-League history. So now we'll look to finish as high as possible," Shillong Lajong head coach Thangboi Singto said at the pre-match press conference here on Saturday.

"Incidentally our best I-League result came against Mumbai FC so we will be optimistic about our chances tomorrow. Mumbai FC is gaining momentum as they are a good side too, a good mix of experience and a blend of foreign and Indian players; we'll be on our toes," he added.

Praising his young squad for their performance this season, Singto asserted that he is confident of victory.

"Football is primarily about consistency. However, it is mostly about winning. In addition, for professionals winning is everything. The best team has to win," he said.

"For us, it is about developing Indian players and producing players for the national team. We've progressed by leaps and bounds this year, we have the majority of players in their twenties."

Mumbai FC are currently placed at the bottom of the table with a mere 12 points from 16 matches and have two games to escape relegation and continue their eight-year stay in the top division.

Mumbai FC head coach Oscar Bruzon was however optimistic that his wards will manage to beat Shillong Lajong.

"We've been working hard and preparing well. Our strategy for the remaining two games is simple, score, and win, as simple as that," he asserted.

"We have to win the remaining two matches. We will also have to depend on a couple of other teams to help us out.

"Densill Theobald and Djelaludin Sharityar have picked up slight knocks. We'll decide their status after a late fitness test," he added.

--IANS

ajb/bg