EMN Dimapur, January 12
Shillong Lajong FC will be participating in the 35th Federation Cup 2013-14 in Kerala and the team departed for Kochi on January 12.With 16 teams participating, they are divided equally into four groups and Lajong are in Group B, along with Goan Club Salgaocar SC, Kolkata Club Mohun Bagan and Mumbai FC. The Red’s best form in the Federation Cup was in the 2009-10 Season when they impressively beat the big teams of Indian football to meet East Bengal in the final. The reds became runners up of the tournament that year losing out narrowly on penalties. Lajong will look to put on a much improved performance this year as they look to win the cup for the first time and create history. The team is being led by head coach Thangboi Singto along with team manager Birendra Thapa and team physio Heikam Bikram Kumar. Lajong who believe in promoting and scouting young talent have 9 players in the squad from the U-23 side wherein 7 players are from the Shillong Lajong Youth Academy. Uilliams Souza Silva who has been suffering from an injury has been ruled out of the tournament as he was declared unfit by the Club’s medical staff and will be undergoing a series of test and treatment in Shillong. The Reds will take on Salgaocar SC in their first match of the Federation Cup on January 15 followed by a match against Mohun Bagan on January 18 and their third match will be against Mumbai FC on January 21. Squad: Lalthuammawia Ralte, Vinay Singh, Minchol Son, Kh.Jibon Singh, Wailadmi Passah, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Robin Gurung, C.Lallawmzuala, Samuel Shadap, Taisuke Matsugae, Ongnam Milan Singh, Boithang Haokip, Lalrammuana, Redeem Tlang, Bipin Singh, Singam Subash Singh, Seikhohao Tuboi, Cornell Glen, Shaiborlang Kharpan and Rupert Nongrum.