Salgaocar FC will play host to Shillong Lajong FC in an I-League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa on Tuesday at 16.30 IST.

Thangboi Singto’s side are coming into this fixture after a 3-4 defeat to Mohun Bagan AC in what was a tight contest at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong last Friday evening.

Cornell Glen and Uilliams Souza Silva provided the goals with the former scoring a brace for the Reds. However, it was a very unlucky day for the Lajong back four, as they conceded two early goals in the match and the defensive lapses allowed Sanjoy Sen’s side to score two more goals in the second half, and take back home all the three crucial points.

SLFC will look to have a better game plan for tomorrow’s match and start to pick up points as they have managed to earn only six points so far from seven matches played this season. Lajong recently played in Goa against Dempo SC last month where they beat the Goan side by two goals.

In a pre-match press conference held in Goa, Shillong Lajong coach Thangboi Singto said that the entire squad are at his disposal and is looking forward to an intriguing contest against the Greens.

“Salgaocar are a good side and have one of the most experienced coaches in the country”, he remarked.

“This has been a very competitive league and there is not much of a difference in terms of points. A couple of wins can see a team quickly climb the ladder”, he added. He however did express satisfaction over his foreigners Cornell (Glen) and Ulliams (Souza) finding the back of the net in recent outings.

Meanwhile, Salgaocar FC faced two consecutive defeats both games being away from home. They lost to Khalid Jamil’s Mumbai FC 0-3 and were defeated by newbies Bharat FC in Pune with the latter winning 2-0 at home on February 22. After gaining fitness and nursing a very critical injury, Daryl Duffy who was the top scorer last season, will most probably be included in the starting line up in the tie against Lajong. The Greens from Goa will clearly make use of his services to the fullest as they desperately need to score goals which they failed in their previous two matches.

Derrick Pereira’s side have obtained eight points from seven matches played in the league so far and playing on home soil will assuredly be an added advantage. Last season, Salgaocar won 2-0 against Lajong in Goa and lost 1-2 in their away match in Shillong.

“We will look to overcome the disappointment of the last two outings and go out looking for all three points tomorrow. Unfortunately, injuries to key players since the start of the I-League have had an impact on our performance. The two-week break post the game tomorrow has come at the right time for us”, concluded the Salgaocar gaffer.

Beyond doubt, both teams will give their all in tomorrow’s tie at the Fatorda Stadium. As for the Reds from the North East, it is highly important to amass a win in order to better their standings in the League as a win will take them to 7th place with nine points.