Sudhir Mishra backs Mohammedan Sporting to secure all three points against Shillong Lajong despite just three days of team training ahead of their IFL 2026–27 opener.

Kolkata, October 30: A new league, a fresh challenge and an immediate need to find their footing, Mohammedan Sporting Club begin their Indian Football League 2026–27 journey against Shillong Lajong FC at Kalyani Stadium on Saturday, with assistant coach Sudhir Mishra making it clear that the team has its eyes on a winning start despite short preparation.

The 4 PM kick-off will mark Mohammedan’s return to the IFL following their relegation from the Indian Super League. Kalyani Stadium as their home ground for the competition, the Kolkata side will have the opportunity to begin their campaign in familiar surroundings, but the bigger challenge will be finding their match rhythm after a lengthy break.

Mohammedan’s last outing came on September 19, and the gap between matches has left the squad with limited time to prepare collectively. The assistant coach did not hide that concern during Friday’s pre-match interaction, admitting that the team had not had enough time to get ready for the new season.

Mohammedan Sporting’s preparations for the new campaign have been far from ideal. The team began its training only three days before the opening fixture, initially with just 10 players available. By the matchday-minus-one session, however, the squad had grown to 17 players, who completed their final training at the Club ground ahead of the Shillong Lajong clash. Fardin, Mohitosh Roy, Israfil, Rahul Naskar, Adison, Maxion, Akash, Banti, Angsu Raja, Yash Chikro, Jewel Ahmed, Hira Mondal, goalkeeper Subhodip Pandit and Nikhil Deka were among those present. Jeremy and Dinesh Meitei are yet to join the squad, also with the unstablety with the coaching unit, leave the club with a race against time to bring the group together before the league opener.

However, the assistant coach was unwilling to lower expectations for the opening fixture. Asked about his team’s approach against Shillong, he stressed that Mohammedan would play for a victory rather than settle for a share of the points.

Mohitosh Roy, meanwhile, acknowledged the difficulties of getting the squad back together after the break. The midfielder revealed that the players had managed just two to three days of training as a group, but believes their existing understanding can help them overcome the lack of preparation.

“There was a long gap between us. There were a lot of problems, but we practised as a team. Everyone is in a condition to play the match. We have been playing as a team for a long time, so we don’t have any difficulties. We will show that in the match,” Mahitosh said.

Away from the pitch, the club has also secured Luxury Living Furniture as its co-sponsor for the 2026–27 season. The announcement, attended by general secretary SK Wasim Akram, president Ghazal Uz Zafar and company owner Samrat Roy, comes as Mohammedan prepare for life in the second tier of Indian football.

For now, the attention returns to the pitch. Shillong Lajong stand between Mohammedan and the first three points of their new campaign. With Sudhir Mishra demanding a winning start and midfield general Mahitosh Roy confident about the squad’s readiness, the Black and White Brigade will have their first opportunity to turn that confidence into results at Kalyani tomorrow.