By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Mohun Bagan mauled a clueless Shillong Lajong FC 6-1 in a Round 24 match of the I-League played at the Yuba Bharati Krinangan stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Sunil Chhetri and Odafa Okolie scored a brace while Syed Rahim Nabi and Jose Ramirez Barreto netted one apiece to lead the Mariners’ rout of Lajong. Subhash Singh scored a consolation goal in the second half for the side from Shillong.
Moving from one defeat to another, Lajong have now lost four in a row and with two home matches to go, the Reds would have to pull off something out of the ordinary to woo the disgruntled home fans.
“Missed the chance to go ahead and level the match in the first half. Disappointing outing, all we can do from here is try to win the remaining two matches at home,” Lajong coach Pradhyum Reddy told The Shillong Times.
Targetting 40 points by the end of the season, Lajong now are well short of their goal and the poor on-field coordination among its players in the last four matches have raised a few questions about the team’s ability to make it to the better half of the I-League standings.
“The Club’s policy has been to build a team for the future and accordingly we gave chances to youngsters throughout (the season). Having said that, we definitely understand the disappointment of the fans who have supported us throughout,” Reddy said.
Still threatened by relegation, Lajong travel back home to take on Prayag United on Sunday. And the hosts would be well aware that a defeat against the Kolkata rivals would only add to the pressure facing the mighty Salgaocar in the last match of the I-league.
Earlier, Reddy’s boys had the best chance of going into the lead in the 15th minute when Johnny Menyonger slipped in a great pass between the two green and maroon centre-backs only for Boithang to shoot wide from close range with the opposition custodian Shilton well beaten.
Lajong had to pay dearly for the missed chance as six minutes later Nabi netted the first goal for Mohun Bagan. Sunil Chettri doubled the lead three minutes later to make things worse for the Reds.
Lajong were guilty of wasting another golden opportunity in the 41st minute when Menyongar tapped yet another delightful pass, dissecting the Mariners’ defense as Lallawmzuala evaded the offfside trap. But a poor finish coupled with brilliant anticipation by Shilton Paul meant that Bagan maintained their double lead. Two minutes later, the hosts scored again after a Sunil Chettri cross to Odafa sailed past Lajong keeper Soram Poirei.
Crossing over, Odafa scored his brace, this time wading his way past five defenders inside the penalty box. In the 57th minute Shillong Lajong had something to cheer about when Subhas Singh scored from a header. But Bagan were back in business within two minutes. Chettri was brought down in the box and Jose Barreto converted the resulting penalty.
In the 75th minute Chettri was in the heart of action once again when he delightfully curled the ball over Lajong keeper.
After this defeat, Lajong are stagnant at 27 points from 24 matches while Mohun Bagan moved up to the second position with 43 points. (With input from Agencies)