Mohun Bagan was thrashed by Shillong Lajong FC here at Shillong today. Bagan conceded 2 goals, both in the second half. In the 62nd minute Boithang scored a brilliant goal. In the 89th minute Lalramluaha scored from a counter attack.

Mohun bagan reached Shillong in a 4-hour car ride yesterday. Bagan got down at the Guwahati airport but the players were unhappy to see the condition of the bus that was supposed to pick up. Officials arranged for 4 cars and the players reached the Shillong Hotel after a four and half hour of ride.

There was a press conference in Shillong on 3rd October 2012 by the local organising committee – that included the Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) and Shillong Lajong FC.

The committee announced that the stadium has been cleaned and the tickets will be on sale from today, 4th October 2012. The prices will be Rs. 100 (open gallery), Rs. 250 (covered gallery) and Rs. 300 (VIP gallery with chairs). Tickets will be available at Shillong Sports Association (SSA) counters, Polo ground, Aircel Coco near Tata Indicom, Police Bazar, Sport Spirit, MUDA Complex, Meba Stationery, Jingkieng, DJ Stall, Mawngap, Kit Enterprise, Rynjah, Sport Centre, Polo, Orion, Mawlai Nonglum and Sunny Auto Parts, Ummulong. Aircel might explore the idea of selling tickets online.

Team mohun Bagan did not appear for the practice session on wednesday and will have practice on 4th and 5th October afternoons. Santosh Kashyap mentioned that he is relieved that both his key players Odafa and Tolgay have recovered from injury.

The match is set to take place at the JN  Sports Complex at 2:45 PM.

Mohun Bagan will play Shillong Lajong FC on 6th October in their iLeague opener here at Shillong. Captain Odafa led the 18-member squad from the NSC Bose Airport and he has been guiding the team well. Coach Kashyap seem to be a bit relieved since the Captain of the ship has geared up with the team for the Lajong match. mohunbaganclub.com brings you a match preview of the game. Scottish coach Desmond “Des” Bulpin (the ex- U-23 India Coach) will put on his best combination against Bagan – and would like to retain Lajong’s outstanding performance in their home ground.

Lajong usually go for a 3-4-3 combination. The team is expected to field the following squad –

Basant, Lallawmzuala, Passah, Lalchhuan, Boithang, Jibon, Eugeneson, Samson, Friday, Sushil, Sukore. Lajong was not outstanding in their recent performace in Federation Cup. They won against mumbai FC but went down to Dempo and Pailan Arrows.

Desmond Bulpin’s side go for attack right from the word GO. They try to keep pressure on the opponents constantly with 7 men attacking – and during counter attack they defend with 7 men once again. The players really do well in running on the same speed for 90 mins!

Sukore and Friday are to be taken care of – as they constantly keep pressure on the opposition defense and proper marking is required. Sukore should definitely be marked through out the game as he can convert any half chance to a goal.

Lajong’s most experienced player – Renedy Singh is expected to join the team in the second half. The ex-Bagan captain’s brilliant off the ball moves and free kicks are definitely something one should take care of.

Lalramluaha would come in as a substitute as well – and his down the middle runs can create panic as well. This ex-Bagan boy would definitely like to prove his worth in the game.

Double coverages are expected for Odafa and Tolgay. Bulpin’s boys would try to cut off the supply lines to these strikers in central midfield- and hence Bagan needs to take care of the two wings effectively. Considering the fact that the Lajong boys are faster than the current Bagan squad in the midfield, and with no Manish Bhargav in the team, coach Kashyap would have to decide whether he would have Masih before the  defenders to cover Sukore or should he have  Jewel playing in the central midfield with Nabi operating from right.

Nabi’s experience will definitely a key to Bagan’s success in the match.

With an excellent home match track record and a team with players able to run in the same speed for 90 mins – Bulpin would definitely like to get 3 points from the match. Hence Kashyap must field the right combination in the game. 

Expected team :

Arindam, Nirmal, Eche, Khelemba, Biswajit, Nabi, Jewel, Denson, Snehasish, Odafa, Tolgay