Shillong, Apr 14: Shillong Lajong FC and United SC of Kolkata played out a 1-1 draw in their Group B match of the Second Division League at Third Ground, Polo, here today.
Everbrightson Mylliempdah scored the opener for the hosts in the 23rd minute followed by the equaliser by Subrata Murmu 10 minutes later.
This was Lajong’s first home game of the Second Division, the league below the I-League, after two wins on the road.
Although the Reds looked good for the first quarter of the game, their performance seemed to decline steadily after that and they’ll be a little disappointed not to have given the home fans a win.
Nevertheless, they stay at the top of Group B with 7 points now to United’s 5. East Bengal reserves defeated Diamond Rock of Madhya Pradesh 3-1 in the other fixture today. EB now have 4 points and Diamond Rock 0.
Coach Bobby Lyngdoh Nongbet made just the solitary change to the starting line-up: bringing in Mylliempdah in place of Babysunday Marngar, though the latter did come on in the second half as a substitute for the injured Pursunep.
Mylliempdah scored by getting on the end of a free-kick and tapping the ball in. Lajong came close to scoring more earlier on in the game as well as later in the first half but couldn’t find a way through.
The visitors equalised after a mistake in defence opened things up and Murmu fired the ball past goalkeeper Bishal Lama. This happened to be the first goal that Lajong have conceded in three matches.
That lifted the mood of United but, to be honest, neither side was all that impressive in the second half. The Reds had a strong shout for handball in the box towards the end of the contest but the appeal was turned down and it ended all square.
Lajong will next host Diamond Rock on 19th April. SLFC won the reverse fixture 1-0 on 9th April.
Lajong’s squad today: Bishal Lama (GK), Henry Ford Nongneng, Sambor Kharsahnoh, Saveme Tariang, Everbrightson Mylliempdah, Pursunep (sub Babysunday Marngar 56′), Hardy Cliff Nongbri (sub Amon Lepcha 89′), Sangti Janai Shianglong, Hamedamanbha Wahlang, Chanmitre Thma (sub Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem 76′), Atlanson Kharmaw
(TSR photo)
