Shillong, Jan 29: Yohaan Benjamin delivered a hat-trick as Shillong Lajong FC came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 and salvage a point against Manipur’s Football 4 Change Academy in Group C of the All India Football Federation’s U-17 Youth League at First Ground, Polo, here today.
Lajong had drawn their opening fixture 2-2 with NorthEast United FC in Guwahati on Saturday.
Today, Yohaan found the back of the net in only the second minute but the game swung F4CA’s way with goals pumped in by Lunkhongam Chongloi (14′), Khaigousang Kipgen (19′) and Kishor Tiwari (46′).
Coach Seibor Sana made a couple of substitutions after that and SLFC were able to reduce the margin when Yohaan found his second in the 66th minute.
An 84th minute equaliser then sent the sizeable crowd roaring for joy and 3-3 is how it ended.
With two draws, though, Lajong only sit third in the table. F4CA lead with 4 points from two outings, while Aizawl FC, who were in action over at Third Ground, are second with 3 points. Today was their opening fixture, which they won against Assam’s Harisinga Town Club 4-2.
Lajong will play their next game on 2nd February against Harisinga in Kokrajhar.