By Keshav Pariat
SHILLONG: Two goals from Sushil Kumar Singh and one from Friday Gbeneme helped Shillong Lajong FC turn a tide of defeat into victory when they clashed with Pailan Arrows in the eighth round of the I-League at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Wednesday.
Lajong came into the match on the back of three consecutive defeats – including one at home – and coach Desmond Bulpin had blamed “negativity” for those losses. But with a more lively and determined-looking squad, the match went Shillong’s way as the home side won 3-1.
The visitors only seemed to click after Lajong had scored their three goals, but though Pailan had a good amount of possession in the second half, they were only able to claw back one goal, through Dhanpal Ganeshan.
Sushil started SLFC’s streak with a header into the back of the net in the third minute of the game, which got the team and the crowd going. It wasn’t a full-house and spectators were still filing in at that point, but those who came early would have been thrilled with the start.
There were a few other chances for the hosts in the first half, and although none of them came off, the team looked far more positive in this match when compared to last Saturday’s loss to Churchill Brothers.
The Reds had most of the possession and were continually throwing themselves into the attack. They seemed determined not to lose to the young boys of Indian football, Pailan being the AIFF development team.
It wasn’t all one-sided, however, with the Arrows looking to break into Lajong’s half whenever they had the opportunity.
Their best chance came in the 41st minute when, in a moment of indecision on the part of Lajong, Pailan’s Prabir Das had a good opportunity to score from close to goal, but somehow kicked it over the crossbar.
With the score line reading 1-0 in Lajong’s favour at halftime, all three results were still possible as both teams took a breather.
But, as in the first half, Pailan started slowly and Sushil pounced for his second goal in the 49th minute.
Lalchhuanmawia passed the ball to Sushil just outside the box on the left flank. The striker was unmarked, he took a couple of steps forward and neatly shot the ball, low past the diving goalkeeper, into the net at the far post.
The Arrows were guilty of a few hard tackles in the early minutes of the second half and one of them led to Lajong’s third goal in the 51st minute.
Just 10 yards away from their box, Pailan conceded a free kick which, when taken, deflected off their defensive wall and went for a corner.
Skipper Renedy Singh stepped up and, whether by luck or design, his kick went through unheeded towards the far post where Friday latched onto the ball and sent it into the net.
Two minutes later Bulpin made his first substitution, replacing hero Sushil with Lalhlimthara, who was a little dynamo up at the front.
He brought renewed energy to the frontline when Pailan might have expected Lajong to go defensive to protect their 3-0 lead.
Within five minutes Lalhlimthara found himself with the ball in the opposition box, but he was surrounded by three defenders. Looking to pass the ball to an unmarked Friday, he slipped and Pailan cleared it away.
Friday was appreciative of the effort, though, and ran over to pat his fellow striker on the back.
It was at this point that the Arrows really went on the offensive. They earned themselves a free kick in the 67th minute in Lajong’s half on the right flank. A left-footed shot into the box and Ganeshan was able to finish the job and get one back for the visitors.
From the 70th minute Pailan pressed desperately as time began to run out for them. Lajong’s defenders may have started to feel a little weary, but they held firm until the end.
There were several contenders for Man-of-the-Match from the winning side, with North Korean defender Minchol Son picking up the award for his spirited performance at the back.
Despite the comprehensive victory, Shillong Lajong remain in ninth place, but now with 10 points, tied with Mumbai, but behind them on goal difference.
They next face East Bengal at home on Saturday at 2pm. Tickets for the match will go on sale from Thursday.
The current leaders are in ominous form and are yet to lose a match this season having only conceded one goal in their eight outings thus far, but SLFC should take some positive momentum from their victory over Pailan into that match.