Lajong to face debutants Gokulam in opener

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Shillong, November 26: Shillong Lajong FC and debutants Gokulam Kerala FC are scheduled to take on each other in their Hero I-League season opener at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday (November 27).

Ahead of the tie Lajong assistant coach Alison Kharsyntiew said that the first match of any league is hard and since Gokulam is a new side, they will give their best against the home side. To him, along with the playing eleven, the twelfth man, that is, the supporters are also very important. He hopes that not only the supporters from the city but also supporters from the outskirts will come to support the home team.

"They (Gokulam) are a good team, George is a good coach, and we have to be mentally prepared for them", said Alison. He strongly emphasized on the point that since this is the first Hero I-League match of Gokulam, they will give their hundred percent, but he has faith in his players and believes they can win it.

Alison stressed that football is a team sport and if each player commits to defense as well as offense, then Lajong will concede less goals as compared to the previous season.

"My advice to the players is that on Monday, play as a unit and give it all you have", said Alison.

Talking about team co-ordination, he stated that the senior and junior players get along well, as it is a key aspect to any team's performance that the senior players guide the juniors and it is also expected of the juniors to be respectable towards their seniors.

In conclusion, there is one thing evident, that this match is going to be a really competitive and energetic match and also that the viewers will witness a nail biting encounter on the field.

The match is slated to kick-off at 8 PM