Shillong Lajong reach Gionee SPL fil

From a Reporter

SHILLONG, Nov 4: Shillong Lajong FC defeated Royal Wahingdoh FC by 1-0 in the second semi-fils of the Gionee Shillong Premier League at the JN Stadium Shillong on Friday.

The defending champions ended the league stage at the top of the table with 33 points and deservedly advanced to the fils of Meghalaya’s top football competition, the Gionee Shillong Premier League after winning the second semifils match today. They will face off Rangdajied United FC in the grand file on November 9.

In today’s match, Lajong displayed a very strong performance and were pushing forward right from the start. They won the first corner in the 7th minute but the Wahingdoh defence did well to deny them an early lead in the game.

The Reds, who were combining very well with each other, came very close to take the lead in the 15th minute of the game. Bipin Singh made a good run inside the box but the Wahingdoh defence came in the way to block his shot and cleared the ball for a corner.

The game started to get very exciting as both teams were fighting very hard to find the first goal of the match. In the 17th minute, Beekay’s powerful shot was punched away by the Lajong custodian, Phurba.

Then in the very next minute, Lajong’s Alen Deory, made a very good run inside the box and tried to dribble past the Wahingdoh defence but was heavily tacked by the men in yellow.

Redeem Tlang was then fed with a good ball outside the box but his shot went over the crossbar in the 35th minute. Lajong were looking very dangerous and had many chances in front of goal. They continued to press forward and were trying very hard to break the deadlock.

Filly their efforts were rewarded when Pritam delivered a wonderful ball to find Redeem Tlang who made a good run inside the box and beat the Waingdoh defence to find the back of the net in the 45th minute of the game.

Lajong went into the break with a 1-0 lead against Royal Wahingdoh FC.

After the break, Lajong got a free kick in the 47th minute but Jacob’s shot went straight to the keeper. Lajong looked even more energetic in the second session and were combining exceptiolly well with each other. They got another free kick in the 48th minute but Isaac’s shot was punched away by the Wahingdoh keeper.

Royal Wahingdoh FC got a free kick just at the edge of the box in the 70th minute and Beekay shoots to the top left corner but the Lajong custodian did well as he saved the ball from entering the back of the net and denied Wahingdoh the equaliser.

In the 74th minute, Lajong also got another free kick but Isaac’s shot was headed away by the defence. As the game was heading to full time, Royal Wahingdoh FC got a free kick in the 90+ minute, but their foreign recruit, Bekay’s shot went wide. The referee blew his fil whistle and Lajong won the match by one goal to nil.

Shillong Lajong FC who won the Shillong Premier League last year against Royal Wahingdoh FC will look to deliver another top notch performance in the grand file of the Gionee Shillong Premier League against Rangdajied United FC on November 9.