Shillong Lajong beat Sporting Club De Goa

From a Correspondent

SHILLONG, Jan 31: Shillong Lajong FC made it two wins on the trot at the J.N.Stadium, Shillong after defeating Sporting Club De Goa today by a solitary goal coming from Brazilian striker Uilliams Bomfin Souza. The win raises them just above the visiting Sporting Club De Goa in the table.

The match was a feisty encounter right from the word go, with both attacking players producing for both the sides. The game remained open throughout the first twenty minutes with half chances falling to each team but the clearest opportunity was met by Densil Theobald. The visitors almost drew first blood after the Trinidad and Tobago midfielder ran into the box beating a couple of players only for his shot to be deflected wide. The match began to settle down after a few minutes but a chance almost against the run of play was created intelligently by Lajong skipper AIborlang Khongjee. His sumptuous pass found Rupert Nongrum on the right flank but the winger scuffed his volley straight at the keeper’s hands.

That chance opened up the match for The Reds and a flurry of chances to take the lead fell to the home side. Some crafty work on the right flank between Uilliams Souza and Rupert Nongrum saw the ball at Rupert’s feet and his cross though was shot wide by Fabio Henrique.

Lajong began pressing, while Sporting Club De Goa was on the backfoot and the visitors were resorted to playing long balls into Odafa Okolie but the Nigerian was almost out of the match as the hosts dictated play.

The first half ended with the scores even as both sides struggled to find the back of the net. Lajong were the closest through Fabio and looked the more likely side to take the lead.

The match resumed with much of the momentum with the home side. The Reds started well off the blocks trying to score in the early moments of the first half but it was the visitors instead who almost found the net. Odafa Okolie ran into space in the 55th minute and his long ranger went just a few yards wide off the post. Lajong keeper Vishal Kaith was left stretching.

Just a few minutes after the Nigerian’s chance, Lajong found the back of the net themselves. A beautifully executed move saw Fabio Henrique with the ball who then beat a defender before shooting right into

Sporting keeper’s Arindam Bhattacharya’s hands only for the custodian to punch the ball back into play. Uilliams was stationed in the box and quickly latch into the box to finish what would be the only goal of the game. Uilliams who assisted Fabio in the previous match now scores on Fabio’s assist in this game. The Brazilian duo has begun to reap dividends for Lajong, something for coach Thangboi Singto to relish.

 Sporting Club De Goa got back on the ball after the goal and tried to find the equalizer. Odafa again came closest when another long range effort went wide off the post, even closer than his previous chance but it was not to be the Nigerian’s day. Lajong maged to hold off Sporting till the fil whistle as the home side secured their second victory of the season making it two wins on the trot.

 The win takes Shillong Lajong FC to 5th position with 7 points from 4 games and Sporting Club De Goa slip to 6th position with 4points from 4 games.

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Sentinel Assam
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