Lacklustre Churchill faces confident Lajong

Holders Churchill Brothers, who are yet to register a win, will face a confident Shillong Lajong FC in a sixth round tie of the I-League at the J N Stadium on Monday.

Shillong: Holders Churchill Brothers, who are yet to register a win, will face a confident Shillong Lajong FC in a sixth round tie of the I-League at the J N Stadium here on Monday.

The home side is on a high after defeating Mumbai FC 3-2 in Pune last week, while Churchill continue their lacklustre show, having bagged only two points from five matches. Lajong are placed sixth in the I-League table with eight points from six games. "We are in rough weather right now and most of the players are yet to click. We are also struggling with injuries," Churchill coach Mariano Dias told PTI. He said there was a lot at stake for the team and all they need is a win. One of the major setbacks for Churchill is that their key players are being out of the squad due to injuries. Gabonese striker Henri Antchouet, their top scorer last season, is out with an injury. Lama and Chawngte are unlikely to play too due to injuries. Dias said he was also wary of the possible altitude sickness his players had suffered when they played here. As for Shillong Lajong FC, they have nothing to worry except to please the home crowd who are hungry for their first win at home. Lajong won their two away matches, but managed to take only a point from three matches at home. "The last game was a big boost for us and we are on the right track now," Lajong coach Thangboi Singto said. Cornell Glen, who lacked the finishing touch at home, found the net twice in the last match against Mumbai FC and is already one of the top scorers of the I-League this season. A couple of impressive all round performances from Seikhohao Tuboi, Boithang Haokip and Taisuke Matsugae formed a formidable force in midfield. Matsugae, who scored the first goal for Lajong in Pune, said he was happy, while adding, "but if I don`t get a goal it is not a problem, I just want to contribute to the team".