Shillong : A high octane encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium awaits the city of Shillong as Pune FC visits Shillong Lajong FC, in what will be a 2nd Round Airtel I-League encounter. The 6 previous encounters between the two “young” sides have always been an even affair, with a win apiece for Lajong and Pune, while playing out 4 draws in between.

With Pune FC having to miss the services of star striker Raul Fabiani due to suspension, it will be interesting to see as to who will be the man to fill his shoes. His strike partner, James Meyer though is available and Mike Snoei’s Red Lizards will be banking on their newly acquired Australian to deliver the goods on Sunday.

Indian international Arata Izumi, quite popular amongst the fans, is another player that the hosts will be wary of, and along with Dhanpal Ganesh and co., will be a constant threat for the Lajong backline.

The Reds though, are on a new found high, after a brilliant display in Goa, which saw them trounce Dempo SC by a 3 goal margin, without conceding a single goal. Having hit the ground running , Lajong will be backed, as usual, by the vociferous and highly passionate Shillong crowd, who could not have asked for a better start to the season.

Known for their infectious singing and chanting at match days, the crowd will be the proverbial 12th man for the Reds, with Pune FC coach Mike Snoei stressing at the pre-match conference that playing in front of such a passionate crowd will be a factor for both teams, more so the home team. His counterpart, Thangboi Singto, though , quoted that his team are ready and raring to play in front of the thousands of Lajong “Faithfuls”, and both Coaches did promise that a lively and exciting match is on the cards, as the Airtel I-League unfolds for the first time this season in the pine city of Shillong.