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The 65th game of the 12th I-League saw hosts Shillong Lajong FC go down 0-3 to Indian Arrows. The game was being played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. Vikram Pratap Singh (18′), Lalengmawia (32′), and Ninthoi (45+3′) scored for the Indian Arrows, sealing their victory in the game. Lalengmawia was adjudged the Hero of the Match.
Indian Arrows showed their attacking intent from the first minute and went on pressing hard. They were constantly troubling the Shillong Lajong FC defence but a lack of a good finish eluded them. It took Shillong Lajong FC around 10 minutes to regroup and start an attack on the threatening Indian Arrows.
Shillong Lajong FC first made an attempt to score in the 11th minute, through Kitrboklang, but failed to convert the chance. Indian Arrows, on the other hand, kept pressing hard and were soon rewarded in the 18th minute, when Vikram Pratap’s excellent header from an Ashish Rai cross found the back of the net, helping the visitors take a crucial lead in the game.
Shillong Lajong FC, thereafter, tried making a few attempts but the strong defensive line of the Indian Arrows ensured that the hosts do not pose any threat of scoring an equaliser. Indian Arrows, who still continued with their attacks, were again rewarded in the 32nd minute when a Vikram Pratap pass was brilliantly collected by Lalengmawia, who made no mistake in helping the arrows get a two-goal lead in the game.
Shillong Lajong FC, thereafter, made a few attempts again, breaching the Arrows defence line on a couple of occasions but a great show by Prabhsukhan Gill ensured that the visitors do not concede. The Indian Arrows showcased their dominance when they fired the third goal in the final seconds of injury time of the first half (45+3′) when Ninthoi found the back of the net from a rebound after a Lalengmawia shot was beautifully saved by Shillong keeper Neithovilie. The first half came to an end with the hosts Shillong Lajong FC trailing Indian Arrows by three goals.
The second half began with Shillong Lajong FC introducing Phrangki Buam into the attack. This resulted in more attacks from the hosts but the Indian Arrows, known for their strong defence, ensured that Lajong did not get close to creating any trouble for them.
While Indian Arrows also pressed hard as the second half passed, the Shillong Lajong FC defenders were more attentive and denied the Indian Arrows forwards any clear chance to score. Shillong Lajong FC, on the other hand, some really close chances.
Optea failed to find the back of the net in the 74th minute and then Buam failed to connect with the ball inside the box. Overall, the Indian Arrows dominated the game throughout and Shillong Lajong FC’s defensive lapses cost them dearly. The game came to a finish as Shillong Lajong FC went down to Indian Arrows 0-3.
