By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong has been relegated to the First Division after the team’s 0-1 loss to leaders Rangdajied United during a crucial encounter in the ongoing Shillong Premier League, played at the JN Stadium on Sunday.
This relegation is a major setback for SLFC, especially considering that the team is in India’s premier football league.
The performance of the club in the current season has raised a question as to whether SLFC is losing its dominance of club football in the state, although in the past the club’s management has said that it places greater emphasis on the I-League and sees the SPL as a venue to build up its younger players.
In Sunday’s game, the contest was evenly contested despite Rangdajied having better possession of the ball.
After the break, it was the introduction of Stephanfield Lanong that finally did the trick for Rangdajied as he made a great pass to Babatunde who put the ball into the net in injury time.
With this win Rangdajied has further strengthened its position at the top of the table with 32 points while Lajong is languishing at the bottom with 12 points from 13 matches, only above the struggling Lawmali Pyllun.