Filled with state player, Shillong Lajong to fight Wellington Phoenix today
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 25 2012:
After the first match of the much awaiting North East Lajong Super Series ended with very few thousand spectators and more than half of the stadium remaining unoccupied, organiser JPR Events and MAYOL who presents the tri series is all set to host the second match of the series tomorrow at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal.
The second match tomorrow will be played between Wellington Phoenix Football Club and Shillong Lajong Football Club at 2 pm.
Even though the first match witnessed a lesser-than-expected spectators, the second match tomorrow is expected to be a thrilling match with thousands of spectators thronging the stadium.
One of the main reason behind the low turn out of spectators in the first match was the farcical Tourism football match between a so called Japanese clubs and Manipur Eleven organised by the Manipur Tourism Forum.
On the other hand, the cultivation season and the unpredictable weather also played an important role in the low turn out.
However, tomorrow's match has many good reasons to pull thousands of football fans out of their house to witness the matchunder the scorching heat of summer sun and probably some scanty rainfalls.
One of the main reason to have a full crowded stadium is the number of state players in the Shillong Lajong team which includes Potshangbam Reneddy who have represented India in more than 80 international matches, Chitrasen, Sushilkumar, Subhash, Biothang Haokip, Basan, Govind, Jiban and Seikhohao Tuboi.
Besides, the news of a well qualified team Wellington Phoenix, who is one of the top teams of Australia's A-league is also expected to pull out crowds who have become somewhat phobic of such football match after the farcical Tourism match.
While large crowd is expected in tomorrow's match, there are also discernment of the unpredictable harsh weather which in times turn from hot sunny to cool rain playing spoilsport to the games spirit.
However it is sure that the football match tomorrow between the North Eastern I league team Shillong Lajong lead by Renedy Potshangbam and Wellington Phoenix Football Club led by Paul Ilfill will sure entertain the spectators as well as give a boost to the future of football in the state.
Coaches of Wellington Phoenix and Shillong Lajong in a press meet today urged the people of the state to support the tri series and witness the match to encourage football in the state.