I-League: Aizawl FC host Shillong Lajong in Northeast derby

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Aizawl FC and Shillong Lajong have derby date set as they take on each other tomorrow with Aizawl hosting the match. The match will be aired on Ten 2 at 1:30 pm.

Aizawl have got off to a good start as they have 4 points after 2 matches which include a 1-1 draw with East Bengal. Lajong in the meanwhile will hope to get their account running as they come to the derby with back to back losses although both matches were against arguably two of the best teams in the country—Champions Bengaluru FC and powerhouse Mohun Bagan.

Matches in the NE are always in full attendance and Aizawl will have home advantage as the crowd will cheer on. Shillong Lajong have been sitting comfortably in the middle of the table for a few years now and will hope to make a better showing this season. Although having a rocky start, derby days are always special and hopefully the team will bring the much needed cutting edge football required. "We need to play better, as this is to be our third away match and we have not earned ourselves any point as yet," says Coach Thangboi Sinto.

Aizawl go into the match with much confidence and Coach Jalil has been masterful in the clubs coming about in the last two matches. Aizawl fans will however hope that their strikers will start their accounts as both goals by Aizawl in the last two matches have been own goals by their opposition.  Defensively, the team has looked solid and their confidence going into the derby with 4 points already on the table will surely boost team morale.

Shillong Lajong play their third away match and having lost 3-0 to Bengaluru FC and 2-0 to Mohun Bagan, they will also have to be better defensively and which was lacking in the first two games. Lajong also looked flustered in the game against Mohun Bagan as they lost their composure and failed to capitalize the chances they had to score. Derbies are always heated and fans will expect high intensity football and with Northeast fans loving their football, tomorrow's very anticipated match will hopefully be the thriller everyone expects it to be.

(by Jessica Passah)