Match Preview – Bengaluru FC vs Shillong Lajong FC
Shillong
Shillong Lajong FC will begin their Federation Cup 2017 campaign on 8th May when they take on Bengaluru FC at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack at 4PM. The match will telecast live on Ten 2.
Groups for the Hero Federation Cup have been chalked out based on a respective Team’s position in the final Hero I-league table. Teams finishing 1st, 3rd, 6th and 8th in the final table of the Hero I-League have been clubbed in Group A, while Teams finishing 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th have been slotted in Group B. Top two Teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals which are slated to kick-off on May 14.
Aizawl FC, Kingfisher East Bengal, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, and Chennai City FC are in Group A for the Hero Federation Cup while Mohun Bagan, Shillong Lajong, Bengaluru FC and DSK Shivajians are in Group B.
Shillong Lajong Head Coach Thangboi Singto said, “It is a tough group that we are pitted in. We hope to give every opponent a tough fight. In Football you win some you lose some, but what matters is the heart, and we will play with it.”
He further said, “Group B is the tougher group as we couldn’t beat BFC and Mohun Bagan in the I-League and lost to DSK at home in the first leg but won in the second leg at their home ground in Pune. This is an opportunity to do better against these three teams.”
Shillong Lajong arrived in Cuttack late on Friday night and the Lajong gaffer said, “Like all teams, there was not much time to prepare separately for Federation Cup. It’s more about recovery and bringing the players mindset into one aim in giving their best for this tournament.”
“It is always tough to play against Bengaluru. It won’t be an easy game. But the target is to keep a clean sheet.”
“It’s an opportunity for our young talented squad to make a point and get noticed for the National Team and progress further as an individual and as a team.”
The group B match between Bengaluru FC and Shillong Lajong will broadcast live on Ten 2 at 4PM on Monday, May 8.
