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I-League Preview: Shillong Lajong - Mohun Bagan
Goal.com's Atishay Agarwal looks ahead to a huge match in the northeast...
28-Oct-2009 11:36:50 PM
Shillong Lajong are arguably the toast of the I-League at the moment. There was always a hint of excitement about their entry into the country's top flight, a buzz if you will, and for good reason. Their last home game saw over 25,000 people make it to the ground, and their next one, against giants Mohun Bagan, will definitely see even more.
A Joyous Occasion...
Lajong have been slightly inconsistent to begin with, if you talk purely based on results. Two heavy defeats against JCT and Dempo, both away from home, have been compensated by an impressive away victory at Sporting Clube de Goa, and a convincing win over Air India, in front of 25,000 home fans.
The biggest positive out of the Air India game was that the home side managed to keep a clean sheet. They give the impression that they're always going to score the odd goal or more, but defensively, Stanley Rosario's men can be a bit naive at times.
Playing Mohun Bagan is different from any other game the northeast side have played so far. Bagan are arguably the biggest side in Eastern India, followed and supported by lakhs of people in West Bengal, as well as in the northeast, so their visit will motivate the home side, and perhaps as importantly, the home support a lot more than usual.
Thirty thousand people are expected for this game, which will truly landmark the arrival of Shillong Lajong in the top flight on Indian football. Expect a vociferous crowd, and a highly charged home team.
Amidst The Euphoria, Problems Remain...
Mohun Bagan lost their first two I-League matches. You could photograph Karim Bencherifa after the game against JCT, and once after the game against East Bengal, compare the two, and have a perfect advertisement for an anti-depressant.
On a more serious note, Bagan are flying high after THAT win against East Bengal. It was a highly entertaining clash of the two rivals, but it was so because of the third grade defending we saw on the day. It's true that both teams would have defended better in any other low-pressure game, but still, some of the play by both backlines was shameful.
East Bengal defended worse, which meant that Chidi Edeh scored four, and Bagan scored five, winning the game. There were 90,000 people at the Salt Lake Stadium, and will be only one third at the JLN Stadium in Shillong, but don't expect the visitors to be used to the atmosphere. When did Bagan play an away match with a large crowd against them? When thirty thousand people cheer for the opposition, it's never easy, and I expect some mistakes from this game too, from both sides.
Another factor that might go against the Kolkata side is that they played an extremely high-tempo, high-pressure game just a few days ago, while Lajong have had a more prolonged rest period.
Form Guide
Shillong Lajong
Oct 18: Shillong Lajong 3-0 Air India
Oct 11: Dempo 4-1 Shillong Lajong
Oct 8: Sporting Clube de Goa 0-1 Shillong Lajong
Mohun Bagan
Oct 25: East Bengal 3-5 Mohun Bagan
Oct 12: Mohun Bagan 2-0 Viva Kerala
Oct 8: Mohun Bagan 1-2 JCT
Team News
Shillong Lajong
Only major team news for the home side, but it's crucial, as goalkeeper Gumpe Rime is suspended for the game tomorrow. The replacement should be Markus Basumatary, and he will be really be under pressure in such a big game.
Mohun Bagan
Bad news for Mohun Bagan. Chidi Edeh, the toast of Indian football over the past few days, has suffered a bit of an ankle injury, but sources suggest that he will indeed play the game. Mohanraj is out with a suspension, and as we know, Jose Barreto is out with an ankle problem as well.
Players To Watch
Shillong Lajong - The Crowd
Make no mistake about it. Lajong's most potent weapon will be their supporters, who will be more than just the proverbial twelfth man for the home side. The atmosphere should be even more electric than it was against Air India, which might just induce a few mistakes from the away side.
Mohun Bagan - Chidi Edeh
That is, if he manages to come through the game unscathed. With Barreto out as well, Chidi's role becomes even more important in this game. He's high on confidence after the derby, and with Lajong potentially vulnerable at the back, he will need to take advantage whenever possible.
Key Areas
For me, this game will be decided by the Lajong backline. They've been a mixed bag up till now. Two clean sheets, and two other games in which they've conceded a shocking nine goals, so one doesn't know what to expect from them as a defence at the moment. With Gumpe Rime out, Basumatary will have a huge role to play as well.
One thing's certain, Lajong are definitely capable enough of winning this game, even though it's Mohun Bagan they're up against. If they keep a clean sheet, you might just hear the cheers from Shillong all the way to Kolkata, but if they don't, it's going to be tough for the I-League newbies.
Atishay Agarwal
A Joyous Occasion...
Lajong have been slightly inconsistent to begin with, if you talk purely based on results. Two heavy defeats against JCT and Dempo, both away from home, have been compensated by an impressive away victory at Sporting Clube de Goa, and a convincing win over Air India, in front of 25,000 home fans.
The biggest positive out of the Air India game was that the home side managed to keep a clean sheet. They give the impression that they're always going to score the odd goal or more, but defensively, Stanley Rosario's men can be a bit naive at times.
Playing Mohun Bagan is different from any other game the northeast side have played so far. Bagan are arguably the biggest side in Eastern India, followed and supported by lakhs of people in West Bengal, as well as in the northeast, so their visit will motivate the home side, and perhaps as importantly, the home support a lot more than usual.
Thirty thousand people are expected for this game, which will truly landmark the arrival of Shillong Lajong in the top flight on Indian football. Expect a vociferous crowd, and a highly charged home team.
Amidst The Euphoria, Problems Remain...
Mohun Bagan lost their first two I-League matches. You could photograph Karim Bencherifa after the game against JCT, and once after the game against East Bengal, compare the two, and have a perfect advertisement for an anti-depressant.
On a more serious note, Bagan are flying high after THAT win against East Bengal. It was a highly entertaining clash of the two rivals, but it was so because of the third grade defending we saw on the day. It's true that both teams would have defended better in any other low-pressure game, but still, some of the play by both backlines was shameful.
East Bengal defended worse, which meant that Chidi Edeh scored four, and Bagan scored five, winning the game. There were 90,000 people at the Salt Lake Stadium, and will be only one third at the JLN Stadium in Shillong, but don't expect the visitors to be used to the atmosphere. When did Bagan play an away match with a large crowd against them? When thirty thousand people cheer for the opposition, it's never easy, and I expect some mistakes from this game too, from both sides.
Another factor that might go against the Kolkata side is that they played an extremely high-tempo, high-pressure game just a few days ago, while Lajong have had a more prolonged rest period.
Form Guide
Shillong Lajong
Oct 18: Shillong Lajong 3-0 Air India
Oct 11: Dempo 4-1 Shillong Lajong
Oct 8: Sporting Clube de Goa 0-1 Shillong Lajong
Mohun Bagan
Oct 25: East Bengal 3-5 Mohun Bagan
Oct 12: Mohun Bagan 2-0 Viva Kerala
Oct 8: Mohun Bagan 1-2 JCT
Team News
Shillong Lajong
Only major team news for the home side, but it's crucial, as goalkeeper Gumpe Rime is suspended for the game tomorrow. The replacement should be Markus Basumatary, and he will be really be under pressure in such a big game.
Mohun Bagan
Bad news for Mohun Bagan. Chidi Edeh, the toast of Indian football over the past few days, has suffered a bit of an ankle injury, but sources suggest that he will indeed play the game. Mohanraj is out with a suspension, and as we know, Jose Barreto is out with an ankle problem as well.
Players To Watch
Shillong Lajong - The Crowd
Make no mistake about it. Lajong's most potent weapon will be their supporters, who will be more than just the proverbial twelfth man for the home side. The atmosphere should be even more electric than it was against Air India, which might just induce a few mistakes from the away side.
Mohun Bagan - Chidi Edeh
That is, if he manages to come through the game unscathed. With Barreto out as well, Chidi's role becomes even more important in this game. He's high on confidence after the derby, and with Lajong potentially vulnerable at the back, he will need to take advantage whenever possible.
Key Areas
For me, this game will be decided by the Lajong backline. They've been a mixed bag up till now. Two clean sheets, and two other games in which they've conceded a shocking nine goals, so one doesn't know what to expect from them as a defence at the moment. With Gumpe Rime out, Basumatary will have a huge role to play as well.
One thing's certain, Lajong are definitely capable enough of winning this game, even though it's Mohun Bagan they're up against. If they keep a clean sheet, you might just hear the cheers from Shillong all the way to Kolkata, but if they don't, it's going to be tough for the I-League newbies.
Atishay Agarwal
Inside Goal.Com
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