PUNE: With just one win from seven matches so far, DSK Shivajians will look pull up their socks when they lock their horns with Shillong Lajong at the Balewadi Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors are on an away tour having played three games away from home and this will be their fourth on a trot.
The draw against Mohun Bagan last Wednesday has given Lajong a morale boost and that is what DSK Shivajians will have to be skeptical of. Lajong’s Japanese defender Yusuke Yamagata is doubtful to feature tomorrow due to injury. Vishal Kahit will look to lift his performance and continue to stand under the woodwork.
Penn Orji, who is in good form so far, will continue to play a vital role for the Reds in Midfield. Uilliams and Fabio will likely be playing upfront and provide the team with goals.
“Yamagata is injured and Fabio is also a concern but we will take the final call tomorrow. The team needs to be consistent and maintain the same mental, physical and tactical attitude shown in the first 45 minutes against Mohun Bagan. We need to convert our chances. We must aim for maximum points,” said Lajong coach Thangboi Singto.
“Out of the three matches, we have got three points. I am happy with the way the team performed against Mohun Bagan. The first half was nice while the second half was not that good. But the overall experience was good but tough,” the visiting gaffer added.
“The youngsters in our team have been playing up to the expectation. We need to improve and we need to get more goals. The maximum outcome from the game is expected on Sunday. We have to stay positive and execute our best,” Singto opined.
DSK Shivajians, on the other hand, need to pull up and their striker Douhou Pierre needs to get on the mark. He was off target in their last match against Salgaocar FC when the Pune outfit lost 2-3 against the Goans.
Pereira was hoping to carry the form from their previous game, “The way we played in the last 15-20 minutes of our last game against Salgaocar was very good. I hope we can carry that forward.” He further added, “We are going to play our last game of the first half of the Hero I-League. Most of the players are in good shape. We are at currently at the bottom of the table but soon there will be changes. We have to believe in ourselves and we are improving as a team. We need to pull up our socks. If we keep working hard we will definitely rise up."
In terms of the crowd support, it will be a mixed crowd on Sunday as there are a lot of students from the North-East who are based in Pune. Thanks to them, Shillong Lajong have always enjoyed a decent support in Pune.
