Shillong, Dec 14: Penalties were the order of the day in the Mohun Bagan-Shillong Lajong I-League match in Kolkata today, with the final score reading 1-1.
The Mariners were the stronger side for most of the game, but they couldn’t deliver on their promise in front of their home crowd, only being able to score in the 12th minute through a penalty taken by former Lajong player Aser Dipanda, who slotted the ball into the top left of the net. Rakesh Pradhan had fouled an opposition player in the box, which yielded the spot kick.
Ten minutes later SLFC captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia curled in a ball even while surrounded by four Bagan players, but his fine shot was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper Shilton Paul.
Even in the second half Lajong had very few opportunities in front of the Bagan goal, but they got their equaliser when Aiman Al-Hagri was tripped up in the box and Lalmuanpuia converted the penalty in the 72nd minute for his second goal in consecutive games.
Soon after Lalmuanpuia was fouled by Kingsley Eze (who was shown a red card for his second bookable offence) and had to be substituted by Lalrohlua. Lajong, however, couldn’t capitalise on their one-man advantage in numbers, but held on for the draw and a valuable one point.
(Photo contributed by Shillong Lajong)