Rangdajied United Open Federation Cup Campaign Against Defending Champions
Source: Babua Biswas *

Imphal, January 14 2014 : The biggest cup tournament in Indian football, the Federation Cup, commences on Tuesday, with games to be played at Kochi and Manjeri in Kerala.

Rangdajied United have been grouped in the toughest group on paper, with East Bengal Bengaluru FC and Sporting Clube de Goa being the other sides in it.

The Blues, who are playing in their first ever Federation Cup, will start the campaign against the title holders, Kolkata giants East Bengal, on Wednesday at the MDS Complex in Manjeri.

While the Red and Golds will start the game as the favorites to pick up the three points, Rangdajied will be hoping to cause an upset and win the game.

Santosh Kashyap's boys are on the back of a successful Shillong Premier League campaign, and will be high in confidence going into the tournament.

The game against East Bengal presents a huge chance for the blues to make a strong start to the tournament and establish their credentials of getting past the group.

With Subrata Paul having departed to Denmark, Santosh Kashyap has taken the two other keepers, Surjay Pariyar and Shambhu Mistry, to the tournament.

It will be interesting to see which custodian starts on Wednesday, with Pariyar being the more likely one to get the nod.

At the back, Gouramangi Singh has had a great influence on the team since his move from IMG-R, and should once again start at the back.

Poibiang Pohshna, Lamine Tamba, and Thomas Saikhom are likely to be the other three players in Santosh Kashyap's back-four, although it wouldn't be a surprise if the coach decides to go ahead with a different formation and gives Munmun Lugun a prominent role at the back.

Loanee Tomba Singh, captain Eugeneson Lyngdoh, David Ngaite, Yohei Iwasaki, Abocha Singh and Pratik Chowdhary are all fit, and will be vying for a place in midfield.

With East Bengal boasting of a very strong midfield, Kashyap may well decide to shore up his men's presence at the centre of the park.

Up front, Lalnupuia, Manandeep, Edmar and Kim Song are all available for the club, with the last two being the most likely to start up front.

Both Manandeep and Kim have been crucial since signing for the club, and will be important throughout the tournament.

With Group B being the Group of Death, there is no place for complacency for any of the teams.

Although a loss may not be the end of the world, the Blues will be hoping for a positive result against the holders to further their chances of qualifying for the semis.

"We are in good shape going into the Federation Cup, and will hope to give a good account of ourselves.

On our day, we can beat any other team in the tournament," said head coach Santosh Kashyap.

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

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