I-League: It Will Be An Open Match Against Pune - Lajong Coach Stanley Rosario

As the season closes in on the half way stage, Shillong Lajong remain a mysterious side. Partly due to their inconsistent results, and the fact that their squad consist mainly of local players, rather than well-known stars and high profile players.

They sit mid table in 7th place with seven points from the six matches played so far. Goal.com caught up with coach Stanley Rosario, who shared his views on the current squad.

“We will now be playing two away games after playing three consecutive at home, where we mustered a win a draw and a loss, so it was a mixed phase for us. But we have been playing good football and hope to continue to do so.”

Their next opponents Pune FC haven’t made too good a start to the season, and are without a win at the moment but Rosario doesn’t think it would be wise to take them lightly.

“Pune are a very balanced side and I have great respect for Mr. Pereira. Even though they haven’t managed a win yet they have performed pretty good and some matches they should have won.

"Their foreign players like Arata make them a strong side. We know that any newly promoted team works hard so we will not take anything lightly.”

As Pune has gathered in good crowds for their home fixtures, it is believed that their support could play the ‘12th man’ and raise their game. But Shillong themselves have an amazing backing at home.

“Our boys are now used to playing in front of big crowds. So I don’t think it will be a problem for them to perform in front of a large crowd.”

Luckily for Shillong, they haven’t yet faced a problem with injuries and coach Rosario says it’s a typical North East Indian thing, to simply shrug off minor knocks.

“We don’t have any serious injuries. Some have little knocks but the North East Indian boys are very strong. They simply shrug off minor injuries. They are a strong, hard working lot. As both teams will be newly promoted I think it will be an open and exciting match.”

Shillong Lajong travel to Pune on the 8th of November.

Venkatesha Sharma