SHILLONG: It will be the second encounter in less than a week between the two sides when Shillong Lajong FC host DSK Shivajians in the Round 10 encounter of the Hero I-League at the JN Stadium in Shillong today. The two sides had played out a 1-1 draw at Pune on Sunday.
Placed at the bottom of the table, DSK Shivajians gaffer Derrick Pereira felt that all is not lost for his side and they can still break through to the top half of the Hero I-League.
“There are only nine teams in the league and two or three wins can change things for us,” Pereira said during the pre-match conference in Shillong today. The former Salgaocar coach feels that the key would be to stay focused now and play as a unit.
Talking about the performance of his side in its debut season, Pereira said that the boys did not get enough time to prepare for the Hero I-League. “We were supposed to play the second division and my aim was to build a team. Some of our boys could not recover on time from the niggles,” he added.
DSK Shivajians have won only one of their eight matches till now and have a mountain to climb if they are to make a mark in the debut season.
For Shillong Lajong, which does not enjoy immunity like its Pune rival, any slip up may lead to the situation they had to overcome last season. Coach Thangboi Singto is well aware of that and minced no words when he said, “We have to fight for the survival.” Singto said that the fate of the Reds will depend on their consistency and the ability to score more goals.
“If you look at the table we are not doing too bad; there were some tight games which we should have won (hinting towards the last tie against DSK). It will be all about consistency and score more goals,” Singto added.
The hosts, however, have more than one thing to worry about. Their Brazilian duo of Uilliams Silva and Fabio Pena would be doubtful starters on Friday. Both are nursing slight injuries. “A final call on them will be taken tomorrow,” Singto informed before leaving the press conference room. An interesting encounter is on the cards at the JN Stadium tomorrow with a lot at stake for both sides.
