(From left) Dan Ignat, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Redeem Tlang and Yuta Kinowaki at an Adidas store in Shillong on Thursday during the official launch of the new Shillong Lajong FC kit.

Shillong Lajong may have been on the wrong side of the results in three consecutive outings, but their new Romanian defender Ignat feels that a win in the club's first home match on Saturday will provide a much-needed boost to the confidence levels of the young squad and could even help Lajong go for a top-three finish in the I-League.

As one of the seniors at Shillong Lajong, whose squad is mostly youngsters in their early twenties, Ignat said, 'For me it's a surprise that I'm 30 and one of the oldest. I want to give the young players the benefit of my experience and help in the game and training. The young players need confidence, more confidence. And for confidence you need wins. If we take three points against Minerva Punjab on Saturday, the players will have greater confidence for the next games.'

Lajong have scored just once in three matches and that came from a penalty against Aizawl in their last match.

The start to their record seventh season in the I-League was not helped by the fact that their opening matches were against reigning champions Bengaluru FC and then Mohun Bagan.

Midfielder Yuta Kinowaki of Japan and local lad Redeem Tlang both admitted that the squad needs more time to gel together and with enough time now in Shillong with five consecutive home games, there should be a marked improvement in the Reds' performance.

Text by Keshav Pariat and picture courtesy: Shillong Lajong FC