Having stunned all the big runs enroute the final and creating a football frenzy in the region, Shillong Lajong FC will virtually have nothing to lose when they face East Bengal in the Federation Cup final on Sunday in Guwahati.
A capacity-stadium will be rallying behind the Shillong boys on Sunday afternoon, being the only team from the North East to reach the final of the country's top league-cum-knockout tournament.
"It will be a big scenario, a big match and a lot of expectations. But we have nothing to lose. The boys have done a fantastic job and they have showed what they can do," Lajong coach Stanley Rosario said.
The debutants will miss the services of five key players, including foreigners Daniel Bedemi and James Giblee - due to double bookings. Their captain Aibor Khongjee is also injured.
Rosario admitted that it is "big worry" for the team.
"We will have to handle it," he said.
He said the remaining boys also have been doing well and the team will be relying heavily on their key strikers Seikhohau Tuboi - who had scored against Dempo, Air India and Churchill - and Nepalese Anil Gurung.
Despite the loss of the five players, the coach says the boys were determined and a confident lot.
"There would be no pressure on us. The boys are doing better every day and they look determined. East Bengal is a top-class side and they would be under pressure to win," Rosario said.
This is East Bengal's 13th final appearance, while their rookie opponents had qualified for the premier I-League only a few months back.
Lajong had been on a giant killing spree, drubbing giants like Churchill Brothers and Dempo in this edition's Federation Cup.
In the I-League this year, the Shillong boys had stunned Goa FC and Air India. after beating East Bengal in the Durand Cup last year.
Back home, hundreds of Lajong fans from Shillong are expected to dash to Guwahati to support the team.
The Lajong management has booked 1200 tickets for their fans, while the Meghalaya Transport Corporation has arranged special bus services to Guwahati on Sunday to facilitate the football lovers.
The 24,000-capacity Nehru Stadium in Guwahati is likely to be packed with fans wearing Lajong jerseys and carrying placards and flags to boost up "their own" boys.
A signature campaign 'Go Lajong Go' was organized in Shillong on Saturday. Supporters of Lajong are endorsing their signature in a chart which will be taken to Guwahati. The event is being organized by Harley Vicky Inc.
When pointed that the North East wanted to see Lajong win, Rosario said, "Even I want to win. We hope we can give a new year's gift to the people with the win."
Bhutia wants nothing less than a victory for EB
Star striker Bhaichung Bhutia, who missed last year's Federation Cup final which his former club
Mohun Bagan won against Dempo, on Saturday said he would want to win the top domestic tournament for East Bengal.
East Bengal and Lajong FC play in the summit clash at the Nehru Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.
"I will cherish to win this tournament. We have a chance to win tomorrow," he said after team practice session.
Bhutia had word of praise for Lajong players who have made it to the final in their debut outing after beating top sides like Dempo and Churchill Brothers.
"It's good that a team from the North East has been able to make such an impact in the tournament. The governments of the North East should help players who are capable of earning
honours in the top level," Bhutia said.
East Bengal coach Phillipe de Ridder, who was at the helm of affairs when East Bengal were NFL runners-up in 2005-06, termed their match against Salgaocar in the group stage in Silchar as the turning point.
"We were in a bad shape before the match but the boys responded to the crisis superbly. We won 1-0 and from then on there was no looking back.
"Now having returned to winning ways, we are confident of taking the title home (Kolkata) tomorrow. Everybody is doing well and the team spirit is good," said the Belgian.
Asked how East Bengal made it to the final after a string of poor shows ahead of the tournament and not such an impressive performance in the group stage, De Ridder said, "I have no problem if you call it magic. For a magician, it's a simple trick but for the audience, it can be pure marvel. And you must know a magician doesn't reveal his trick."
