USFC to take on Pailan Arrows on Monday

GANGTOK, 27 Jan: Still struggling in the relegation zone, the United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] will now take on Pailan Arrows in an away match in the 18th round of the I-League at Kalyani’s Municipal Stadium, West Bengal on Monday. USFC’s previous match against Pailan Arrows [in the first leg of this season of I-League at Gangtok] had ended in a goalless draw.
Currently in the 13th position with 11 points from 17 matches, Bhaichung’s club is fighting to stay in the I-League. On the other hand Pailan Arrows is on the 8th position with 18 points from 16 matches.
“United Sikkim is a good side which held Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw here in the last round. They are in the relegation zone and that will make our opponents come hard at us. So we have to be extra cautious against them,” said Arrows’ assistant coach, Sujit Chakraborty in the pre-match press conference posted on the AIFF website.
“Our side will be rejuvenated with the return of striker Holicharan Narzary and defender Souvik Ghosh. This will give more options to our side and we will look to continue the winning form we have gained after beating another north-east side [Shillong Lajong FC] in the previous match,” Chakraborty said.
The youthful Pailan Arrows have definitely made their mark in the top league of the country as they have bettered many of the senior sides being on the eighth position with 18 points from 16 matches. This prompted a big team like Dempo to seek defender Prathamesh Maulingkar on loan.
“Ours is a developmental side and it is a good sign if the top clubs show interest in our players. I wish that the player gets regular opportunity to show his talent. As for us, Souvik Gosh will have to take more responsibility in the central defence in the absence of Prathamesh,” Chakraborty said.
Sikkim United is under the charge of young coach Nathan Hall, who is looking to steer the side out of the woods.
The team  is gradually settling down to the system of the new coach, which was evident in the way the side owned by iconic Bhaichung Bhutia held off the challenge of Mohun Bagan in the previous round. Sikkim United has 11 points from 17 matches and will have to produce some really good performance to get off the relegation zone.
The match will be kicked off at 2 PM on Monday.