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Shillong Lajong FC returned to winning ways in the I-league 2023-24 after a gap of two matches as they edged past Aizawl FC 2-1 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Goals from Phrangki Buam (27’) and Damaitphang Lyngdoh (90+4’) helped Shillong Lajong avenge their 3-0 loss to Aizawl in the first leg. For the hosts Aizawl, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia (81’) was the scorer.
The win though didn’t alter Lajong’s position in the I-League standings. They remain in the sixth spot with 29 points from 18 matches with eight wins, five draws and five losses each. Aizawl FC are ninth with 21 points from 17 matches.
Both Aizawl FC and Shillong Lajong entered the match eager to bounce back from defeats in their last games. It set the stage for a competitive encounter and both sides came hard at each other. In the first half, Aizawl FC dominated possession but struggled to convert their control of the game into scoring opportunities. Their inability to find the back of the net though highlighted their challenges in the final third.
Lajong adopted a different approach. They were happy to absorb the pressure from Aizawl FC and exploit counter-attacking opportunities. This strategy paid off as they created several promising chances. Early on, Phrangki Buam tested the goal with a long-range effort from 25 yards that struck the crosspiece.
But Lajong didn’t have to wait too long to score the opening goal. It resulted from excellent teamwork and tactical awareness. The play began with Arik Bista’s precise delivery to left-back Kenstar Kharsong who had embarked on an overlapping run down the left flank. Capitalising on the space provided, Kharsong kept accelerating down the flank before he cut the ball back into the penalty box.
Kharsong’s run pulled Aizawl’s defenders out of position, creating space within the crowded penalty area and leaving Phrangki Buam unmarked. Buam had all the time and space he needed to carefully direct his header towards the finishing spot and give Lajong the lead in the 27th minute.
Maintaining this approach, Lajong continued to create chances in the second half. In the 49th minute, Paulino executed a precise diagonal pass to Nongbri, who, unfortunately, directed his shot straight at the goalkeeper once more. In the 67th minute, Buam had another crack at Aizawl goal from the distance but Nora Fernandes was up to the task as he made a diving save.
Aizawl FC’s dominance in possession finally culminated in a goal in the 80th minute, thanks to a penalty. The chance came about when Lajong’s Kynsailang Khongsit committed a foul inside the penalty area by tripping Lalbiakdika, leading referee Surojit Das to promptly award Aizawl a spot kick. Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia stepped up and scored his 10th goal of the tournament even though the Lajong goalkeeper anticipated the direction correctly.
Lajong clinched victory in the injury time of the game. After receiving a ball at the top of the box, Damaitphang Lyngdoh unleashed a stinging and precise left-footed strike that easily went past the outstretched hands of Nora Fernandes and fetched three points for Shillong Lajong.
