Lajong end I-League 2024-25 with underwhelming draw against bottom side Delhi

Shillong, Apr 5: Shillong Lajong FC failed to show any real determination as they played out a 0-0 draw against the bottom-most side in I-League 2024-25, Delhi FC, at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today.

Delhi had lost four games in a row before today and should have been easy pickings for the home side. Stuck at the bottom of the points table and sure to be relegated, they were playing for pride alone. Lajong, meanwhile, lost three and drew one of their last four outings and hoped to cap off a relatively successful season with victory.

When the two sides met in the first leg, Delhi defeated Lajong in December. That was the Reds’ first loss of the season and proved to be one of only three wins Delhi would experience in all of 2024-25.

Today Lajong coach Jose Carlos Rodriguez Hevia made three changes from the team he started with against Aizawl FC a week ago. In came Nikhil Deka in goal, Saveme Tariang and Renan Paulino de Souza in place of Ranit Sarkar, Daniel Goncalves and Gladdy Kharbuli.

While SLFC created the majority of chances in the first half, they lacked bite. A Sheen Sohktung left-footer was aimed straight at Delhi goalkeeper Lalmuansanga, while Kenstar Kharshong’s header a few minutes later was narrowly wide.

The home side then had a scare in the early part of the second half, with a penalty conceded for an infraction in the box but Akash Tirkey’s effort was blocked by Nikhil, who dived the right way.

Lalmuansanga made at least two good saves later on and he was justifiably deemed Player of the Match.

Lajong, frustrated by their opponents, ended with 10 men on the field after Renan lashed out at one of the Delhi players, which resulted in his second yellow card.

After 22 rounds, SLFC come away with 28 points thanks to seven wins, seven draws and eight defeats. They are currently seventh in the standings but could fall to eighth if Dempo win their last encounter tomorrow. Lajong had finished eighth in 2023-24 with 31 points from 24 games, so no real progress has been made, at least in terms of the club’s position.

Meanwhile, there was good news for the only other North East club in the competition, former champions Aizawl. They defeated sixth-placed Namdhari FC 3-0 at home to finish in 10th place, just out of the relegation zone. SC Bengaluru’s 2-2 draw with Sreenidi Deccan means that the former will be relegated along with Delhi.

Lajong are tied on points with Sreenidi but have head-to-head advantage and are therefore placed in front. Incredibly, the Reds have had their most successful season in terms of scoring goals – they’ve netted 46, the most of any club (though this could change on Sunday). Unfortunately, they’ve also conceded liberally at the back, with 45 goals scored against them, second behind only Aizawl (46 goals against).