Having created the biggest upset in the tournament by defeating I—League champions Churchill Brothers in the semi-finals of the ongoing Federation Cup, Shillong Lajong coach Stanley Rosario, today said his wards have created history in north—eastern football.
“It was fantastic. It was history for North—East. This is the first time a club from the North—East has entered the finals of the Federation Cup,” Rosario told PTI a day after drubbing Churchill Brothers 1—0 en route to the finals in Guwahati.
The win is nothing sort of a fairytale story for Lajong, who now are in contention for an AFC Cup appearance in their first year in the big league.
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In their maiden I—League appearance earlier this year, the Shillong boys who had got together in 1983 had stunned Goa FC and Air India.
Rosario said through the win, Lajong has proved that footballers in the North—East can do anything.
“Within five months of qualifying for the I—League, the boys have stunned many giants. Earlier in the cup, they had defeated Dempo. Their confidence is growing by the day,” the elated coach said.
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Giving full credit to his ‘brave—heart’ young boys, he said the win would boost development of football in the region and motivate upcoming footballers and uplift their morale.