Confident Rangdajied All Set For Bengaluru FC Challenge
Source: Babua Biswas *

Imphal, January 17 2014 : After a commendable performance against East Bengal in their opening game, which saw Rangdajied United come home with a point, the Shillong outfit will next face Bengaluru FC in their second group encounter of the Federation Cup.

Rangdajied United were unlucky not to have picked up all the three points against East Bengal on Wednesday, with striker Kim Song Yong hitting the crossbar towards the end of the game.

Santosh Kashyap's men will, however, draw confidence from their performance in the game, ahead of their crucial encounter against Bengaluru FC.

With Bengaluru having won their first game against Sporting Clube by a scoreline of 5-3, a loss for Rangdajied United will end the latter's chances of progressing into the semis.

Rangdajied All Set For Bengaluru FC Challenge

A win could, however, move the club one step closer to a semis birth.

Surjay Pariyar started at the goal on Wednesday, and is likely to keep his place in the starting XI against Bengaluru.

With the Bengaluru frontline in terrific form, it will be interesting to see what Santosh Kashyap's defensive formation will be on Saturday.

Thomas Saikhom, Munmun Lugun, Lamine Tamba, Gouramangi Singh and Poibiang Pohshna are all fit, and will be competing for the starting defensive slots on Saturday.

The backline will have a huge task to keep the Bengaluru attack, boasting of the likes of Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh, Sean Rooney, etc., at bay during the game.

In the centre of the field, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Yohei Iwasaki, David Ngaite and Tomba Singh are likely to start, with the likes of Abocha Singh also in the reckoning to play important roles.

Edmar Figueira and Kim Song Yong had a brilliant outing against East Bengal, and will once again be called upon to take on the Bengaluru defence.

Rangdajied will, however, most likely miss the services of Manandeep Singh, who suffered a knee injury against East Bengal on Wednesday.

Santosh Kashyap had stressed before the tournament that Rangdajied would step into the event with the aim of going all the way, and the team's performance against the red-and-golds showed that the blues are indeed playing to win.

Although Bengaluru will be the favorites going into the game, Kashyap's boys will hope to continue their attacking game and pick up the three points on Saturday.

The local fans in Manjeri made Rangdajied United feel at home with their fantastic support during the game on Wednesday.

With Kashyap's boys taking on Bengaluru FC in the crunch encounter, the support from the crowd could come in handy for the Shillong Premier League champions.

* The sender is Media Manager | Rangdajied United FC and can be contacted at rufcmedia(at)gmail(dot)com .