Shillong, Dec 8: Shillong Lajong FC turned in a goal-scoring performance like never before to beat Rajasthan United FC 8-0 in the fourth round of I-League 2024-25 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here this evening.
The goals came thick and fast from Figo Syndai (3′), Douglas Tardin (17′,51′), Daniel Goncalves (45’+3), Damaitphang Lyngdoh (49′), Marcos Rudwere Genar Silva (61′), a penalty from Imanol Arana Sadaba (66′) and Hardy Cliff Nongbri (87′) to give Lajong their first home win of the season at the fourth time of asking.
The phenomenal result is Lajong’s biggest margin of victory in any I-League match, home or away. The previous best was a 6-0 performance against Mumbai FC away in 2014-15. SLFC’s biggest home win followed that same season against East Bengal 5-1.
Although the hosts were sitting comfortably 3-0 up by half time, players and fans will have remembered that Rajasthan overturned a 4-2 deficit to draw with a couple of stoppage time goals when these two sides last met here in the 2023-24 season.
Lajong coach Jose Carlos Rodriguez Hevia named an unchanged starting XI from the one that drew with leaders Inter Kashi three days ago.
It all started with a super sharp cross from the left by Imanol that Figo tapped in and it got progressively worse for Rajasthan, with Douglas getting the barest of touches to a cross by Sheen Sohktung to double the hosts’ lead before the 20th minute.
Lajong would’ve been tempted to run the clock down at the end of the first half but also knew that one more goal would pretty much seal the contest. A corner kick gave them that opportunity to score one more, with Daniel trapping the set-piece and then left-footing the ball into the back of the net, a change for the Brazilian, who is known more for his headed-in goals.
There was no improvement from Rajasthan in the second half, in fact, if anything they just got worse. A Damaitphang shot was probably on its way wide of the mark but a defender put it into his own net while trying to clear the ball away. A howler by a defender allowed Douglas to pinch the ball and score for his second of the evening to make it 5-0 and the sixth goal came an hour into the game, again with a defender sliding in to try and cut off a cross from Marcos.
We still weren’t done, however, with Imanol scoring via a penalty after a foul on Phrangki Buam and Hardy netting one from a Kynsailang Khongsit cross.
This win takes SLFC to 5 points from four games, while Rajasthan stay stuck with 3; this was their third defeat in four outings.
Lajong will stay at home for their fifth home match in a row to take on Gokulam Kerala FC on 14th December at 4:30PM.
Shillong Lajong squad today:
Ranit Sarkar (GK), Ronney Kharbudon, Kynsailang Khongsit, Daniel Goncalves, Kenstar Kharshong, Renan Paulino de Souza, Damaitphang Lyngdoh (sub Hardy Cliff Nongbri 68′), Imanol Arana Sadaba (sub Gladdy Kharbuli 68′), Figo Syndai (sub Phrangki Buam 30′), Douglas Tardin (sub Marcos Rudwere Genar Silva 56′), Sheen Sohktung (sub Tremiki Lamurong 56′)
(Photo: I-League/Facebook)
