Shillong, Nov 21 (IANS): For the people of Shillong, Friday evening’s I-League match between Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied United FC will be one to remember as the two teams square-off in the first Shillong derby.

Lajong are the hosts for this encounter and they will be under quite a bit of pressure given that they are the stronger, more experienced team with a bigger backing in the hill station.

Rangdajied are the unquestionable underdogs. It is their first season in the I-League and they are yet to register a win, although they have drawn three games at the JN Stadium.

“It is a very prestigious match, not just for the players, but for the management and all concerned,” Thangboi Singto, coach of Shillong Lajong said Thursday.

Apart from two suspensions, vice-captain Wailadmi Passah and Jibon Singh (the latter earned a red card in the last fixture against Mohun Bagan), the other players are fit and raring to go, Singto said.

The big news for Rangdajied in the last few days is the signing of five new players, who have been taken on loan from IMG - Reliance, including India internationals Gouramangi Singh and Subrata Paul.

They have been training with Rangdajied for the last few days and a further boost to the club could come from the possible return of captain Eugeneson Lyngdoh.

Lyngdoh has missed the last few I-League games because of a knee injury.

Rangdajied coach Santosh Kashyap is pleased with the new signings and said he is looking forward to the contest.