By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Lalchhuanmawia struck in the 68th minute as Shillong Lajong FC beat HAL Bangalore to register its first victory of the ongoing I League in Imphal on Friday.
After a goalless first half, Lajong scored its first goal of the tournament when striker Lalchhuanmawia headed a goal of a corner kick from midfielder Eugene Lyngdoh.
Lajong put up an impressive show in front of the 11,000 strong crowd who turned up to support the team from North East despite it being the festive occasion of Ningol Chakouba (a prominent local festival).
Lajong coach Pradyum Reddy said it was an important win as the team secured full three points from the match.
Reddy, however, was quick to caution his boys against complacency as there were more crucial encounters to follow.
The Lajong coach was happy that the team had not conceded a goal so far in the tournament.
“This is something (not conceding a goal) we have done well for a long time now. It is always good to make scoring difficult for your opponent” he said.
Lajong play their next match against Sporting Clube de Goa on Tuesday.
Bagan beat Chirag
Mohun Bagan pipped Chirag United Kerela 2-1 in a second round match of the fifth I-League football tournament at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday.
Odafa Onyeka Okolie (50th minute) and Jose Ramirez Barreto (83rd) scored for Mohun Bagan, while Australian recruit Michael Matricciani (67th) found the net for Chirag even as the first half ended goalless.
Mohun Bagan, who had thrashed AIFF’s developmental side Pailan Indian Arrows 3-1 in their opening match, joined Dempo at the top of the table with six points from two wins.
Last match hero Odafa started in Bagan’s attacking line up alongside Sunil Chhetri as the Kolkata giant went for a 4-4-2 formation.
Salgaocar thrash Pailan Arrows
Salgaocar scored an emphatic 4-0 win over Pailan Arrows and registered its first victory of the tournament in Margao on Friday.
Salgaocar, which was looking to bounce back after it lost the opening encounter against Dempo, put up a disciplined performance and scored all the goals in the first half through Edeh Chidi (15th, 23rd), Francis Fernandes (26th) and Biswajit Saha (31st).
In another match Pune FC came back from behind to draw 2-2 with Sporting Clube De Goa after the latter had taken a two goal lead in round two of the I-League at the Shiv Chhatrapati Stadium in Pune. (With PTI reports from Kolkata and Margao)