Shillong Lajong have been in the I-League for some time while Gokulam are the first club from Kerala taking part in this top tier after a hiatus of six years.
Home side assistant coach Alison Kharsyntiew said the first match of any league would be hard and Shillong Lajong will give their best.
"They (Gokulam) are a good team, George is a good coach, and we have to be mentally prepared for them," said Alison.
He said Gokulam would give their hundred per cent since they would be playing their first match.
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Alison said his players have been trained to be able to work in defence as well as in offence.
"My advice to the players is that play as a unit and give it all you have," he said.
Talking about team coordination, he said the senior and junior players got along well as it was a key aspect to any team's performance