Aizwal: Buoyed by an intriguing home atmosphere, Aizwal FC will aim to continue it’s unscathed run when they take on neighbourhood rivals Shillong Lajong at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium on Monday. Unbeaten on home soil since last season’s second division I-League, coach Paul Menezes credited their 12th man for the last minute win over Churchill Brothers and hoped that fans will once again turn in big numbers in the first North-eastern derby of the season.
“The fans will be important, again, and I expect a better crowd than the last game. Against Churchill Brothers, they were terrific throughout the match and that played a key role in winning the match,” said Menezes at the pre-match conference.
Beginning with a 2-2 draw against East Bengal away from home, the ‘People’s Club’ returned to winning ways against a depleted Churchill and will hope to carry on the same against the ‘Reds’ in what will be their final home match before Christmas.
“I have a vast knowledge about Lajong and have informed the team as well. They are a young team, with fast and technical players. Like the last game, we will give our best and I expect three points against Lajong,” added the Aizwal gaffer.
Shillong Lajong on the other hand had a perfect start to their campaign with two back-to-back wins against Gokulam and Churchill at home, but were battered 5-1 against East Bengal in their first away match and coach Bobby Nongbet is already under pressure to improve their away performance.
“It’s my first season in I-League at the helm and I’m already feeling the heat. Aizawl has played very well in their last two matches but we will work hard and expect full three points. We will play an attacking football and I expect a good match against Aizawl,” said the India born coach.
Both the sides are nonetheless infected by injuries. While, the Meghalaya based outfit will miss the services of Abdoulaye Koffi, who is unfit to play, captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia who scored the equaliser against Mohun Bagan will also be left out, after suffering an injury. As for Aizwal, midfielder David Lalrinmuana have an injury and will not feature in the derby while, foreign recruit Andrei Ionescu may come on as a substitue.