Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Shillong Lajong FC scored a 4-1 win over hosts Chennai City FC in the I-league played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai this evening. Fabio, Isaac, Bipin and Dipanda Dicka were on the scoresheet for Lajong FC while Haroon Amiri earned a consolation goal for the hosts.
Thangboi Singto named an unchanged line-up that played the 1-1 draw against East Bengal last Wednesday in Siliguri. The young Lajong FC squad were all set for the clash in a very unfamiliar ground and city. This is the first time that the team was playing a game in the South Indian city.
The host Chennai City started the first half on an attacking mode which saw them have more of the ball possession and also made many good moves upfront. The I-League newbies troubled Lajong’s defence on numerous occasions in the first 20 minutes of the match but lacked quality.
Lajong FC custodian Vishal Kaith had to make a crucial save in the 6th minute from a header by Amiri. Lajong FC did not find any rhythm in the game as Chennai City were comfortably controlling possession. The Lajong FC gaffer then replaced Redeem Tlang with Fabio Pena in the 27th minute and the early substitution proved effective as Lajong FC looked more balanced in possession against Chennai City. The substitution worked wonders for Lajong FC as Fabio Pena found the back of the net with a header in the 38th minute from Isaac’s free kick to give Lajong the lead. Even though Chennai City had more opportunities in the first half, it was Lajong FC who had the one goal lead at the end of the first half.
Chennai City made two changes early in the second half by bringing on Brazilian Forward Marcos Vinicius and midfielder Soosairaj to try and level the score. The hosts played good football but Lajong FC were more clinical in their attack. The visitors moved the ball around very well to frustrate the host. Lajong won a free kick just outside Chennai City’s box and Isaac Vanmalsawma stepped up to take it. His free kick went straight to the bottom right corner of the net gave his side a 2-0 lead in the 65th minute.
Now Shillong Lajong FC were flying high on attack and created a lot of chances. Youngster Bipin Singh of Lajong FC also found his name in the scoresheet in the 77th minute after curling a shot in the top corner of the goal, while top scorer Dipanda Dicka made sure he was still the highest goal scorer of the I-League so far after he found the back of the net in the 79th minute beating the defence and the keeper.
Lajong FC were already leading 4-0 and the Head Coach brought on Rocus Lamare and Joseph Lalfakzuala in place of Yuta Kinowaki and Isaac respectively.
The host managed to score eventually in the 89th minute courtesy a goal from Haroon Amiri. The match ended 4-1 in favour of Shillong Lajong.
With this win, Shillong Lajong have 16 points from 10 matches and stand in fourth position in the I-league table.
Lajong FC will play their next match in Shillong against East Bengal on March 4 as the match against Mohun Bagan on February 25 was postponed due to their AFC Cup commitments.
