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Shillong Lajong FC played out a goalless draw against Chennai City FC in their first I-League match in 2018 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Friday afternoon.
Going into the match, Chennai City FC had to replace the suspended midfielder Pradeep Mohanraj with Charles Anandraj Lourdusamy while Shillong Lajong FC’s Kenstar Kharshong filled in for defender Juho Oh.
Both teams looked for an early advantage as the match kicked off. Lajong FC were more offensive as they mounted the pressure on Chennai City FC right from the very first minute of play. However, despite dominating the ball possession for most of the game Chennai City FC’s defence refused to cave in against the host team.
Lajong FC forward Abdoulaye Koffi attempted a goal early in the 4th minute but only managed to send the ball straight into the arms of Chennai City FC goalkeeper Uros Poljanec. Chennai City FC replied in the 6th minute with a shot by Pandiyan Srinivasan which was saved easily by Lajong FC goalkeeper Phurba Tempa.
At the end of the first half, neither of the two teams could open the deadlock but Lajong FC’s Laurence Doe earned himself a yellow card after a foul on Jean Michael Joachim.
The second half progressed into a fast pace game as both teams were trying desperately to gain the upper hand. Lajong FC replaced midfielder Redeem Tlang with Samuel Lalmuanpuia. Defender Laurence Doe was replaced by Aiban after the former injured himself following a collision with Chennai City FC forward Murilo.
Chennai City FC’s best opportunity came in the 71st minute when Joachim nearly scored what would have been a winning goal for the team. However, in the 77th minute, Lajong FC’s hopes of victory were dashed when a well-timed kick by Alen Deory hit the crossbar.
With four minutes of extra time added to the end of the second half, it was clear to both teams as well as spectators that the match would end in a draw.
With the goalless draw, Lajong FC leapfrog Mohun Bagan into fourth spot with 11 points and Chennai City FC topple Indian Arrows to the eighth spot with as many points.
The Highlanders will now host Indian Arrows next Monday, January 8 and the Southerners will host high flying NEROCA FC the next day.
