Shillong, Mar 25: Langsning FC and TRAU FC will face each other in the first North East derby of the Second Division League here tomorrow at the JN Stadium at 4PM.
This will be the first match in Group C between two teams that can progress to the final round of the league (the Indian Super League reserve sides will only take part in the group stage) and both clubs want to come out on top.
Langsning and TRAU (Tiddim Road Athletic Union) of Manipur are the only two North East teams in this season’s Second Division.
Tickets, ranging in price from Rs 20 to Rs 100, will go on sale from noon tomorrow at the SSA ticket counters in Polo Grounds.
TRAU played their first match away at Jamshedpur FC reserves on 20th March and drew 1-1, while Langsning won their opener against Chennaiyin FC reserves 2-1 before drawing 1-1 with Bengaluru FC reserves.
The Meghalaya team and the visitors both have some injury worries, but they are also keen to put those aside and concentrate on getting three points.
“We are looking for a good match tomorrow. We have prepared well and will go all out for the win,” Langsning assistant coach Dapmon Tariang said at the pre-match press conference here today.
Kitboklang Pale has scored once in each of Langsning’s matches and Tariang said the onus will be on him and the other playmakers to perform well against the Manipur team.
Meanwhile, Tariang’s opposite number at TRAU, Surmani Singh, was positive about the draw at Jamshedpur.
“An early red card affected us, but the boys played very well and we created many chances. This is a very important match for us as we have just one point, while Langsning have four,” Singh said.
He also highlighted the potential impact that their foreign striker Olariche Princewill Emeka of Nigeria could have on their performance.
With a large community from Manipur residing in Shillong, Singh was also hopeful of having good support from the stands tomorrow. A good number of fans have turned up for both of Langsning’s fixtures thus far and Tariang concluded with an appeal for even more support.
“The crowds have been very good, but we wish that more people come out and support us. Fans have the potential to really motivate and encourage our players and that could be the difference on the day,” he said.
(Photo of TRAU’s Surmani Singh and Langsning’s Dapmon Tariang contributed by Langsning FC)