I-League: Rangdajied United ready for the Bagan challenge

Come Sunday and Rangdajied United FC will be up against the Kolkata Giants, Mohun Bagan, at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Since upgrading the squad, Rangdajied United had back-to-back draws against Shillong Lajong and Mumbai FC, but are still looking for their first win in the I-League. With just 5 draws from 10 matches, the 2nd Division champions rest at the bottom of the table with 5 points.

On the other hand, the Mariners are better placed than their Meghalaya counterpart at 9 with 11 points, courtesy of the 3 wins and 2 draws. But the fact that the National Clubs have not won since their 1-0 win against Mumbai FC on October 26 should come as a relieve for the Shillong side.

For Rangdajied, Subrata Paul will once again guard the goal, aided in the central defence by the experience Gouramangi Singh and Lamine Tamba. Thomas Saikhom and Yohei Iwasaki, who have extremely been doing well, will feature on either side of the backline.

The central-midfield will have the experience Tomba Singh taking charge alone with the skipper Eugeneson Lyngdoh. With both the players not 100 percent fit, this is one area that coach Santosh Kashyap will be worried about. Tomba, having featured in Rangdajied’s last two outings, hasn’t played full 90 minutes in either of them. Eugene however got to play the full match against Mumbai FC.

It will be interesting to see how the midfield shapes up in such crucial encounter like that of Mohun Bagan, where the midfield will hold the key. Kashyap will have Bhola Prasad and Bansharai Sunn as other options in the middle.

David Ngaihte, as usual, will look to unsettle the Mohun Bagan defence from the left side of the park while Joy Chandra will look to do the same from the right. For Rangdajied to flourish, these two players will have to be at their top. In most of the goals scored till now, the Rangdajied wingers have contribution to it.

Up front, North Korean international Kim Song Yong will once again have a go at the rival’s goal. Manandeep Singh, who gave the team a lead against Mumbai FC, is likely to partner him unless Edmar Figuiera recovers from his groin injuy. T.Lalnunpuia, who has had a great outing till now will also be available for the match.