Ahead of a crucial I-League clash against HAL, Goal.com caught up with the head coach of Shillong Lajong...
By Debjit Lahiri
Shillong Lajong SC website
Shillong Lajong's second season in the I-League started off in a rather competitive fashion as the boys from the North east played out an impressive goal-less draw against a fancied outfit of Pune FC in the first match-day.
Having reached the semi-finals of the Federation Cup, prior to the start of the I-League, it was quite evident that the newly promoted side are a lot more than a mere push-overs. In fact, the side boasting of some of the most exciting talents in the country, Shillong Lajong is a team to watch out for. And so it proved to be last weekend!
Reflecting back on the match, coach Pradhyum Reddy spoke to Goal.com, revealing his immense satisfaction following the draw in a tough away match in Pune.
"We were carrying injuries from the Durand Cup and had a lot of key players missing in our team. Yet we went to Pune and managed to get ourselves a point. The fact that the opponent goalkeeper was given the match of the match award, quite goes to show how our boys played. It was a very positive result for us.
Next up for the Reds is a rather tricky clash against a HAL side, that played out a disappointing loss against Chirag United Kerala in the opening match-day. Although, the match will be officially a home match for Shillong, it will be played in Manipur, instead of Lajong's regular home stadium in Meghalaya.
However, Reddy was quite confident that the home support will not be missed as he is expecting similar enthusiam for the team in Manipur as well.
"Any match in the North-east is a home match for us. Be it Manipur, Meghalaya or Mizoram. Although, the turnout might not be same as in Meghalaya but we are still expecting around 7,000 fans to be rooting for us."
"I had been following the Dempo Vs. Mumbai FC match today and I was quite disappointed with such low attendance. So, the 7,000 figure might be less for Shillong Lajong (The side generally boasts of 30,000 vociferous fans in their home stadium), it is quite BIG for Indian Football."
However, in the midst of the euphoria surrounding the team playing in the I-League, there has been certain unwanted off-field happenings relating to the team and the Goan outfit Vasco that has gone around for a while now.
Reddy was, however, least bothered about it.
"We are not bothered at all. These things never affect the players and they do not think about it."
"They are all very much focused on the job in hand for them."- he concluded.