Shillong, Nov 24: Shillong Lajong FC were staring at the possibility of a terrible start to their I-League 2024-25 campaign but salvaged a draw in a 2-2 draw with Churchill Brothers at First Ground, Polo, here this evening.
Wade Lekay (14′, 21′) struck twice in the first quarter of the match to give the visitors a 2-0 lead but a goal in each half from two of Lajong’s Brazilian contingent – Douglas Tardin (35′) and Renan Paulino De Souza (50′) – ensured that SLFC came away with a point.
This was Lajong coach Jose Carlos Rodriguez Hevia’s first I-League match in charge of the Reds but the starting line-up would have looked very familiar to anyone who had watched Lajong under coach Bobby Lyngdoh Nongbet in 2023-24, with the only real change being the addition of Spanish midfielder Imanol Arana Sadaba, who was used today as a substitute.
Lajong will stay on home turf to take on another Goa-based club, Dempo, on 30th November in their second fixture of the I-League season. That match will also take place at 7PM. Dempo had drawn 0-0 at Aizawl FC yesterday.
Shillong Lajong squad today:
Neithovilie Chalieu (GK), Aman Ahlawat, Renan Paulino de Souza, Kynsailang Khongsit, Damaitphang Lyngdoh (sub Treimiki Lamurong 87′), Douglas Tardin, Marcos Rudwere Genar Silva (sub Imanol Arana Sadaba 53′), Hardy Cliff Nongbri (sub Figo Syndai 53′), Phrangki Buam, Daniel Goncalves, Kenstar Kharshong
(Photo: I-League/Facebook)