Salgaocar beat Shillong Lajong 3-1

Shillong, April 25: Salgaocar FC defeated hosts Shillong Lajong FC 3-1 to give the hosts their first home loss in the I-League here on Saturday.

It was Salgaocar’s second win in six games that took them to the sixth spot with 17 points from 15 points. Shillong dropped to the ninth spot with 13 points after 14 games.

Lajong began brightly as they pushed on forward but the lead was taken by the visitors.

Augustin Ferndes’ quickly-taken free-kick was grappled over the line by goalkeeper T.P. Rehenesh to give Salgaocar the lead in the eighth minute.

Lajong pressed harder for the equaliser only for Salgaocar to double the margin in the 22nd minute.

Speedy Bikash Jairu sprinted past defender Minchol Son and slotted the ball past an advancing Rehenesh.

Salgaocar then sat back and were content to defend their two-goal cushion.

But just at the stroke of halftime Douhou Pierre scored from a delicate chipped finish, capitalising on a lobbed pass over the Lajong defence.

Lajong reduced the margin in the 66th minute through Brazilian striker Uilliams Bomfin who scored with a neat finish from inside the box.

Shillong coach Thangboi Singto made two changes by bringing in Rupert Nongrum for Boithang in the 78th minute and Jacob for Milan Singh in the 90th minute in search of goals but nothing materialised. (IANS)