Shillong, Feb 26: Shillong Lajong FC suffered a big blow to their hopes of a top half finish to the I-League 2024-25 after losing away 2-0 at SC Bengaluru today.
Clarence Savio Fernandes (24′) and Jordan Lamela Garrido (49′) scored for the hosts in Bangalore on either side of half time to give SC Bengaluru only their fourth win in 16 matches.
Although SC Bengaluru are just out of the relegation zone in 10th place, they have seen an uptick in form of late, and are now unbeaten in five straight games.
The Reds had demolished the same team 5-0 in the first leg in Shillong last month and hoped to repeat that success today but were found wanting. This is only the second time in 11 matches that SLFC – the club with the most goals this season – have gone without scoring.
Lajong coach Jose Carlos Rodriguez Hevia made two changes to the starting lineup from the draw against Dempo. He brought in Saveme Tariang and Gladdy Kharbuli in place of Kenstar Kharshong and Damaitphang Lyngdoh for today’s match.
The result means that SLFC went from fifth place at the end of Round 15 down to seventh now. The league is close, however, and, with 23 points, Lajong can still work their way up the table if the next few results go in their favour.
Lajong will head from Bangalore to Kozhikode where they will take on Gokulam Kerala on 3rd March.
Shillong Lajong squad today:
Ranit Sarkar (GK), Ronney Kharbudon, Kynsailang Khongsit, Saveme Tariang (sub Everbrightson Mylliempdah 74′), Daniel Goncalves, Renan Paulino De Souza, Hardy Cliff Nongbri (sub Damaitphang Lyngdoh 55′), Phrangki Buam, Gladdy Kharbuli (sub Tremiki Lamurong 55′), Marcos Rudwere Genar Silva, Sheen Sohktung (sub Aman Ahlawat 83′)
(Photo: I-League Media)