Shillong Lajong FC will take to the pitch for their final match of the I-League 2024-25 season with an eye on securing a strong finish as they face bottom side Delhi FC at the SSA Stadium here tomorrow. Kick-off will be at 4pm.
Currently seventh with 27 points from 21 matches, Lajong will aim to secure a win that could potentially lift them to sixth place (depending on whether the All India Football Federation rules against Namdhari FC in a case of allegedly fielding an ineligible player in a match against Inter Kashi from back in January).
This would be an improvement on Lajong’s performance last season, when they finished eighth. Taking on Delhi, who will end 2024-25 in the relegation zone no matter tomorrow’s result, should provide Lajong with a prime opportunity to end with victory.
However, their disappointing performance against relegation-threatened Aizawl FC last Saturday does not inspire confidence – SLFC held the lead on four separate occasions and each time handed Aizawl an equaliser, with the game ending 4-4.
Delhi have lost four games in a row and there will be no excuses if Lajong do not win against them. Anything less than 3 points will leave Lajong open to being overtaken by Sreenidi Deccan (also currently on 27 points) and/or Dempo (26). Sreenidi will be involved against second-from-the-bottom SC Bengaluru tomorrow, while Dempo are to face Gokulam Kerala on Sunday.
