xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_38302" align="aligncenter" width="580"] East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan with Robert at the press-conference on Friday. Image Source: East Bengal Samachar[/caption] Internet Desk: I-League table-toppers Kingfisher East Bengal will be up against resilient Shillong Lajong tomorrow in which could turn out to be one of the rigorous away tests of the season for the Trevor Morgan's team this season. On a high, Lajong have won five of their last seven games and a victory over the Kolkatans will, for the first time, set them up for a top four finish in the I-League. East Bengal, on the other hand, are looking to create history by winning their maiden I-League title and the Shillong outing assumes utmost significance as far as fulfilling their league ambition is concerned. Lajong is coming to the tie on the back of a 4-1 away victory over Chennai City FC. On the flip side, Kingfisher East Bengal completed their first-ever double over the Blues, thanks to their 3-1 win in the Garden City. East Bengal gaffer Trevor Morgan stated that his boys will have their task cut out in Shillong. Asserting that the table-toppers tag did not put any additional pressure on his side, Morgan said, “It’s all up to us. We know we are in a good position and we know what we need to do tomorrow. But nevertheless, we expect a very tough game. We have come here a day before to get used to with the conditions. Everybody trained today and we have the all twenty players ready.” Despite a dream run at home, Lajong head coach Thangboi Singto is aware of the challenge at the store tomorrow and minced no words when he said, “The match against East Bengal will be our biggest test so far.” “Till now we have beaten teams which are below us in the standings. To improve our position we have to beat sides which are ahead of us. So that way it’s a crucial encounter tomorrow,” Singto said in the pre-match conference today. Lajong gaffer also lavished praises on the opponents stating that the Red & Golds are the most balanced side in the I-League this season and have a strong bench. Singto, however, underlined that Lajong have a good record against the Red and Golds and the hosts can net full three points tomorrow. Replying to a query on East Bengal’s not-so-good track record against the Reds, Morgan said, “We can’t hide behind a bad track record. We can’t give excuses.’ Singto added that comeback man Aibor Khongjee will feature in the first 18 tomorrow. The East Bengal coach said that every game is a must-win from here on, there will be a lot of twists and turns as the season progresses. “There are still 21 points to play for and all we can do is what we can do,” he said while replying to whether East Bengal were under pressure on account of their title ambitions.