Shillong: Debutants Neroca FC will play their first ever I-League derby when they face Shillong Lajong at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.
Manipur’s first ever club to play in the top most division of Indian football, Neroca is confident of clinching a victory in the second North-eastern derby of the season. “Our team is preparing hard and it is a derby for us tomorrow. I hope the best team wins,” said captain and goalkeeper Lalit Thapa at the pre-match conference.
Facing an experienced campaigner like Lajong will not be an easy task but coach Gift Raikhan is confident of his team doing well. Positioned fifth in the table Neroca will have their full squad available in the important match and Raikhan added that they not at all tensed because the players know their duties well and he believes that they all will contribute to winning the game.
North-eastern derbies are however nothing new for hosts Shillong Lajong who have already defeated defending champions Aizwal FC in the first derby of the season and coach Bobby Nongbet believes that a 100% performance from his players will be enough to secure one more win.
The home turf will give them added confidence believes the gaffer despite Lajong losing their captain Samuel for the derby because of an injury he suffered earlier.
“Other than Samuel there are no injuries in the squad, but he too is recovering,” said Nongbet.
Positioned third in the table with 10 points, a win may however their tally to 13, equal to leaders Minerva Punjab who will have one match at hand.