Too many matches affecting performance: Lajong coach

Shillong: His boys struggling after a dream run in the recent Federation Cup, Lajong F C coach Stanley

Rosario says too many matches have affected performance of the team. "We had to play seven matches in a span of 22 days till January 15 ? five in Federation Cup and two in I-League. That means apart from travelling, the boys had to play a big match every third day. There is a lot of pressure on them," Rosario told PTI. He said the hectic schedule had affected the fitness level of the players and so they were struggling in performance. After being on a giant killing spree till the Federation Cup defeating teams like Dempo and Churchill Brothers, Lajong had a disastrous outing in their last three I League matches - playing a draw with Viva Kerela and going down poorly against Mahindra United (0-5) and Mumbai FC (1-3). "The boys had to first play in cold weather in Guwahati (Federation Cup) and Shillong and then move to Mumbai for the I League matches where it was hot and humid. That has also affected the players," Rosario said. He, however, maintained that the boys were improving by the day. "They are a newly promoted side from the second division. They showed what they can do by reaching the Federation Cup finals. They are working hard and are in high spirits. We have to give them some time," Rosario said. Asked if the short height of the players was a setback as expressed by some quarters, he said, ?The height and body posture are a must in today’s football. You can see most European and African players, or for that matter those from Asian countries like Iran and Arabia are tall and stout. The posture is important because most goals are scored through set pieces and height is needed for it, Rosario felt. But he maintained that there are exceptions like Maradona. ?Even Lajong players like Tuboi and Niwan-O are short but their performance is the best. We need to have a good combination of both, he said. Currently, three African players are on trial for Lajong to replace Nigerian Michael Bassey who has been ruled out for a few months due to injury. The club has three foreign recruits ? Africans Daniel Bedemi and James Giblee besides Anil Gurung from Nepal. Apart from the two Africans, most of the boys are short in height and lacking in stoutness. PTI