I-League: Task cut out for East Bengal against in-form Shillong Lajong (Preview)

Deflated after losing to arch-rivals Mohun Bagan by a solitary goal in their second round I-League clash, city football giants East Bengal will be desperate to log their first win of the campaign when they take on in-form Shillong Lajong here on Saturday.

Kingsley Eze scored the winner for Mohun Bagan at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan last Sunday to hand East Bengal a crucial setback especially when there is talk that this season the title will be won by either of the two Kolkata bigwigs.

The red and gold brigade were unimpressive for most parts of the hotly-contested affair and lacked firepower up front with Willis Plaza squandering a lot of chances.

In the first game against reigning champions Aizawl FC, Plaza was also guilty of spurning good opportunities as Khalid Jamil's wards were held to a 2-2 draw.

Going by training on Friday, East Bengal are likely to play with two strikers up front with Charles partnering Plaza.

Yusa Katsumi might play on the right wing while experienced defender Arnab Mondal is expected to return at the heart of the defence along with Eduardo Ferreira.

Lajong are a form team winning both their games to start their season on the best possible note. They are currently placed second in the ten-team points table behind Minerva Punjab FC.

But needless to say, this will be Lajong's toughest test yet too. The Bobby Nongbet-coached outfit won both their games at home against Churchill Brothers (2-0) and newbies Gokulam Kerala FC (1-0).

"Shillong are a good team and are coming on the back of two wins. Tomorrow is a very important game for us. Whatever we do, we have to win. We cannot afford another bad result," East Bengal midfield mainstay Syrian Mahmoud Al Amna told reporters after training on the eve of the game.

East Bengal have just one point from two matches.

--IANS

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