Mapusa: A keen contest is on cards as Salgaocar will be looking to consolidate its position at the top of the table when they face second place Pune FC in their I-League group match, here tomorrow.
Salgaocar is having a fine run so far as they head the table with 17 points from eight matches, one point behind Pune FC who have a game in hand.
A win for Salgaocar will see them open a four-point gap at the top over Pune FC.
A week's rest has helped the players to recover from injuries and also given a chance to test the reserves in the Goa's Super league.
"My boys are all fit except defender Nicolau Colaco, who is a doubtful starter, while the new Australian recruit Matthew Foschini will make his debut," Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira said.
"The team is playing well at the moment but there is scope to do better as the contest gets tougher. It's a fresh game tomorrow and we need to put our best against Pune FC who are also playing well and will go all out for a win to go at the top of the table," he added.
Shillong derby in I-league tomorrow
Shillong derby in I-league tomorrow
Shillong: In a first in the history of the I-League, two outfits of Meghalaya, debutants Rangdajied United FC and Shillong Lajong FC, will clash in a derby match here tomorrow.
The local derby comes five years after Lajong FC made it to the top tier League in 2009 while Rangdajied FC earned their spot in the top league this year.
Rangdajied FC had just signed five new players, including international goalkeeper Subrata Paul and central defender Gouramangi Singh.
Rangdajied's Tomba Singh in the midfield will assist Eugeneson in the upfront as Lajong FC will bench defenders Wailadmi and Jibon Singh for yellow cards and red card respectively. However, Lajong strikers Cornell Glen and Ulliams Silva will try to keep Rangdajied defenders busy in the J N Stadium outing. Terming the derby as a 'historic event', Lajong FC coach Thangboi Singto said the match could be an event to remember in Indian football considering the fact that it happened in the North East.
Rangdajied coach Santosh Kashyap too was excited. "It is a big day for football in Shillong and I hope the derby popularises the game further." Rangdajied captain Eugeneson Lyngdoh was nostalgic as he played for two seasons in Shillong Lajong during which Rangdajied was in the second division I-League. "I am emotional ... to play against former teammates," he said but added that he would give his best as a player of his new team.
