WE PREVIEW the match between Shillong Lajong FC and Chennai City FC.
BACKGROUND
Shillong Lajong FC are currently with 10 points as and Chennai City with 7.Coming in this game after a 10-day rest, Lajong have had enough time to contemplate on a two back to back defeats after a getting off to a flyer in the season. Chennai City FC, will playing their second game in a week’s time. It was a good start for the team from Chennai gathering all three points from Mohun Bagan away from home
AREAS TO LOOK AT
Coach Bobby Nongbet, has done a decent with a fairly new squad to get the team working on short passing game with a lot of use of the flanks. The team is able to keep the ball but starts to lose out in the midfield and a lot of pressure comes to the central defence when Laurence Doe is doing the most of the clearances. The defence needs some cover in middle of the pitch to patch up the area between defence and midfield. Hopefully Lajong can fix things before Chennai can tap into for their benefit.
Chennai City, a side that has improved drastically from the embarrassing day loss to Indian Arrows. Coach Soundarajan has been hailed as a tactical genius by Chennai City owner after the win with 10 men against Mohun Bagan. Slowly Chennai City have turned into a side that is able to score is every game. But with scoring comes a problem of maintaining clean sheets. This certainly will be looked into by both Chennai City to improve and Shillong Lajong to exploit.
IMPORTANCE OF RESULT
Lajong’s long rest should be taken advantage of to shake of the loss of points in the last two games. For Chennai City, the continual improvement must be coupled with adding to the momentum of a recent positive result. Lajong can jump a higher spot in the table temporarily with a win. For Chennai City, a win will mean a chance to make themselves well prepared to face NEROCA early next week.
KEY PLAYERS
Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Lajong’s 19 year-old captain, is a versatile player. He works in the midfield and is given a free role. Setting up some goal scoring chances will be expected from the teenager.
Chennai City FC’s Joachim is the league’s current highest goal scorer. He has scored 5 out of the clubs total eight goals so far. And will be looked upon to add to the tally.