Shillong, Nov 22: Fresh off the back of their first win of the I-League season, Shillong Lajong FC will play a fourth consecutive home match today against Delhi FC at First Ground, Polo, here. Kick-off will be at 2PM.
Like Lajong, Delhi qualified for the I-League through the Second Division League earlier in the year, which Delhi won. It was, however, goalless between the two sides in their only meeting during that tournament.
Lajong are currently seventh in the points table but could jump to fourth if they win today. SLFC have 6 points at the moment thanks to three draws and a win and are one of only two clubs to still be undefeated, the other being table toppers Mohammedan Sporting.
Fifth-placed Delhi come to Shillong from Mizoram where they thrashed Aizawl FC 5-1 on Friday. (It is Aizawl who Lajong would replace in fourth position if they win.)
That was one of two wins that Delhi have experienced so far this season, the other being a 4-3 result against second-from-the-bottom Rajasthan FC on 2nd November. In their season opener Delhi drew 1-1 with TRAU, who are rock bottom at the moment. DFC have also lost one match, 2-1 at home to Mohammedan.
This gives a picture of a very mixed season for Delhi. Unlike Lajong, who have many years of I-League experience behind them, Delhi have made it to the league for the very first time. However, the club is owned by Ranjit Bajaj (who owned Punjab FC when they won the title in 2017-18) and coached by Yan Law, so Delhi shouldn’t really have first season nerves.
Indeed, that resounding win in Aizawl should give them bags of confidence as they visit another North East city. They have at least one local boy in the ranks too, Kitboklang Khyriem, who’s played his football for Lajong in past years. SLFC’s task will be to carry forward that winning momentum and turn their one victory against Gokulam Kerala on Sunday into the first of a string of successes.
(TSR file photo)
