SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong was handed their first defeat in the Hero I-League 2018/19 by Kolkata giants Quess East Bengal FC as the visitors won by 1-3.
Jobby Justin scored two goals in the first half for the visitors before Rakesh Pradhan got one back for the home side. Minutes later, Bidyashagar Singh scored the third goal for the visitors making the final score 1-3.
The Reds started the match with the same eleven who featured in the game against Aizawl FC. The young boys started the game with a positive intent and dominated the gameplay with plenty of ball possession and had the first chance of the game in the 5th minute of the game. Phrangki Buam was fouled near the opposition’s box and captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia stepped up to take the free-kick only to get denied by the woodwork. Lajong then had a couple of corners in quick succession but failed to take advantage of the set pieces. The first goal of the game came in the 12th minute when East Bengal’s Jobby Justin headed in from a free-kick by Lalrindika Ralte when it was all Lajong dictating the gameplay. Lajong kept pressing looking for an equaliser but failed to convert the chances created up front. Young Samuel Kynshi and Phrangki had tried their luck from distance but failed to beat the opposition goalkeeper.
Despite having created plenty of chances Lajong failed to bring it to level terms whereas the visitors managed to utilise the lapses from the Lajong’s inexperienced defence.
