Shillong, May 17: Shillong Lajong FC won their opening fixture of the U-18 Youth League final round by beating Aizawl FC 1-0 here today.
Kynsailang Khongsit scored the lone goal in the Group D fixture. The Reds are at the top of the table after Ozone Football Academy and FC Goa played out a goalless draw in the earlier game.
Lajong qualified for the final round by finishing at the top of their group in the zonal stage back in February, while Aizawl have been in Shillong for a while now, coming through the Rest of India Group A and then the playoffs.
It was an entertaining game of football as both the teams displayed top-notch attacking despite the wet conditions.
Khongsit’s goal made the difference in today’s match, with the defender heading in the ball off a cross from Donboklang Lyngdoh in the 58th minute.
The final round of the U-18 Youth League began here yesterday. There are four groups and 16 teams in all taking part.
Tomorrow Sudeva FC will take on Sporting Clube de Goa at 10AM at the JN Stadium, followed by SAI Kolkata versus Tata Football Academy at 2:30PM. At Third Ground DSK Shivajians face Bengaluru FC at 10AM, while Kerala Blasters go up against Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools at 2:30PM.
Yesterday’s results:
Group A
Sudeva FC 0 – 0 SAI Kolkata
Sporting Clube de Goa 1 – 4 Tata Football Academy
Group C
Bengaluru FC 0 – 0 Kerala Blasters
Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools 1 – 2 DSK Shivajians
Today’s results:
Group B
East Bengal 2 – 0 SAI Trivandrum
Minerva Punjab 1 – 1 FC Pune City
Group D
Ozone Football Academy 0 – 0 FC Goa
Shillong Lajong FC 1 -0 Aizawl FC
(Photos contributed by Shillong Lajong FC)