Lajong, Royal shares point with goal each

SHILLONG, APR 12:  Shillong Lajong FC and Royal Wahingdoh played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the JN stadium on Sunday. Youngster Nim Dorjee Tamang scored for Lajong while Kim scored the late equaliser for Royal Wahingdoh.

Lajong kicked off the first half earning a corner in the opening seconds. Thousands of supporters from both clubs thronged the stadium supporting their team throughout the 90 minutes game.

Lajong enjoyed more possession of the ball in the opening quarter of the first half. Seiminlen, Cornell and Uilliams were menacing in attack for Lajong. Royal Wahingdoh started the match with Kim on the bench. Royal Wahingdoh had a few chances at goal but most of their shots were long rangers which did not disturb Lajong custodian Rehenesh much.

Lajong won many corners and in the 38th minute scored the first goal when Royal Wahingdoh keeper could not clear the ball and Nim Dorjee capitalised with a kick over his head that dipped into the far corner of the net. Lajong were looking really creative in attack and composed in defence. Royals meanwhile were sloppy in their passing.

Lajong captain, Aiborlang Khongjee, had to be replaced by Samuel Shadap in the 41st minute after picking up an injury. The first half ended with one goal in favour of Shillong Lajong.

Royal Wahingdoh brought on Kim in the second half replacing Nagen Tamang. The change revived the Royals in the second half and they were pressing hard for the equaliser. Captain Densill had more control in the centre of the field and urged his team to go forward. Cornell Glen had a few chances but could not double the lead. Then in the 61st minute, Lajong forward Seiminlen made a tackle on Densill and the referee felt it was a bad tackle which led to the second yellow card for Seiminlen. Lajong thus had to play with 10 men for the remaining half hour of the game. Royal Wahingdoh naturally began to dominate the match.

Uilliams was lucky not to receive a second yellow after making a tackle on Royal Wahingdoh forward. Royals appealed for a penalty with a yellow card but the referee awarded neither. Lajong made a change in the 70th minute by substituting Uilliams Silva with Durga Boro.

Royal Wahingdoh were relentless in attack with the advantage of an extra player in the field. Lajong, however, were resilient in defence not allowing Royals to score the equaliser. But in the end, Kim scored the equaliser in the final minute of extra time after heading the ball in the back of the net courtesy a cross from Naoba.

The match ended all square and both teams thus share a point. Lajong now have 12 points from 12 matches played and stand in 9th position in the I-League table. The Reds will travel to Pune to play their next match on 19th April against Bharat FC.- By Our Reporter