INDIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Shillong, March 13: Shillong Lajong FC will look to continue their encouraging start to the season when they take on Diamond Harbour FC in the Indian Football League at the SSA Stadium on Saturday evening.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 6:30 PM, promises to be an intriguing contest between two teams eager to strengthen their positions in the league standings. Lajong have begun the campaign on a positive note, collecting four points from their opening two matches and currently occupying the third spot on the table.Head coach Birendra Thapa expressed confidence in his side ahead of the clash, highlighting the growing belief within the squad after a solid start to the season.
According to the coach, the team has gained valuable momentum from the first two matches, and the players are gradually building confidence with every outing. Thapa said he trusts the effort and commitment the players have shown during training and believes the side will approach the upcoming fixture with focus and determination.However, Lajong are fully aware of the challenge that awaits them. Diamond Harbour, guided by experienced Spanish coach Kibu Vicuña, are considered a strong and well-organised outfit. Vicuña previously guided Mohun Bagan to the I-League title in the 2019-20 season, and his tactical experience is expected to play a key role in Diamond Harbour's campaign.Thapa acknowledged the quality in the opposition camp, noting that Diamond Harbour possess a balanced squad filled with experienced players capable of competing at this level. At the same time, he stressed that Lajong's primary focus will remain on executing their own game plan and delivering a strong performance on the pitch.
Diamond Harbour are among the new entrants in the league this season after securing promotion by winning the I-League 2 title last year. Despite being newcomers, they have already shown promise with a composed start, collecting three points from their first two matches.Friday's fixture also carries added importance for Lajong as it will be their final home match of March before the team embarks on a challenging run of five consecutive away fixtures. Securing a positive result in front of their home supporters could provide a timely boost to the Reds before they head into that demanding stretch.
Fans who are unable to attend the match at the stadium will still be able to follow the action live, with the game set to be telecast on DD Sports and Sony Sports Network. The match will also be streamed live on the SonyLIV and WAVES OTT platforms.