Shillong, Apr 10: Shillong Lajong FC defender Oh Juho has left the club and returned to his home country of South Korea.
The defender was compelled to leave for home because he has to perform his compulsory military service. The timing is a bit of a blow as Lajong are scheduled to face Mohun Bagan in the quarterfinals of the Super Cup tomorrow and Juho was an important member of the defensive line, with an ability to win headers and good physicality to thwart opposition attackers.
Earlier in the season Yemeni recruit Aiman Al-Hagri departed at the end of January, while Swedish-Gambian Saihou Jagne left at the end of the I-League, both for personal reasons.
The South Korean played in 14 of Lajong’s 18 I-League 2017-18 matches as well as in the team’s scintillating 3-2 victory over FC Pune City in the Super Cup’s round of 16 last week.
He scored one goal for SLFC in the I-League as well as one in last year’s Shillong Premier League.
Juho first announced his departure on Instagram (he goes by the name 5._._pro) one day after the win against Pune City, posting a series of photos from his time at the Reds, though he didn’t provide the reason for leaving the team.
His absence will likely mean that Kenstar Kharshong comes back into Lajong’s starting XI after missing out in the last game.
Juho was a fan favourite as well being a solid defender. He was also excellent at darts. Well, better at least than his team mates when TSR put him and three other Lajong players to the test in December (skip to 13:19 to see them in action).
TSR wishes him all the best.
(TSR file photo)
