SHILLONG: The year 2012 proved to be a mixed bag for football fans in the State. Among the many developments, Lajong’s tie-up with Dubai-based multinational company Anglican Holdings to become India’s first football club to attract foreign direct investment was the highlight while Royal Wahingdoh, Ar-Hima (now Rangdajied United FC) and Langsning’s inability to make it to the national football scenario can be termed as the biggest disappointment of a year, which promised a lot more.
In a proud moment for the state, Meghalaya Football Association president Larsing Ming Sawyan was recently elected as the vice president of the AIFF, which is the country’s apex football body.
Sawyan is also the first person from the state to hold this position.
Lajong script history
On February 29, history was scripted in Kolkata when in a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, Dubai-based MNC bought a 25 per cent stake in the Northeast’s premier club Shillong Lajong FC to bring about the first FDI in Indian football. The contract also resulted in a tie-up with Denmark-based first division club, FCV Vikings and paved the way for European exposure for the Lajong lads.
Earlier in January, after much delay, the artificial turf in the JN Stadium was finally ready to host the first home match of the I-League 2011-12 season for Lajong. However, to the dismay of the fans, the hosts disappointed with a 0-2 loss against Goan side Churchill Brothers. Another defeat against Dempo (1-2) and a lacklustre performance against Pune FC added to the Reds’ problems.
Lajong , in the meantime added former India captain Renedy Singh and India striker Sushil Singh to their ranks. Consecutive victories against HAL (1-0), Pailan Arrows and East Bengal (2-1) brought Lajong back in the hunt. However, five losses on a trot thereafter meant that Lajong ended their I-League campaign with only 27 points in their kitty and 10th in the standings.
The dismal show towards the end prompted a change of guard and Scotsman Desmond Bulpin was appointed as the head coach of SLFC on June 8. Bulpin was the head coach of the India U-21 squad.
SLFC’s victory over New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix can be considered as Bulpin’s first achieve-ment after taking charge.
With a vastly changed squad the stage was set for Lajong to plunge into the new I-League season and to the delight of the fans, the Reds started the campaign with a thumping win over Mohun Bagan. The gritty Lajong boys then held Salgaocar.
The first disappointment came against Sporting Clube de Goa who edged-past the hosts 2-1. But Bulpin’s boys were back in business in their next match against Prayag United whom they defeated 3-2 at home.
Three consecutive defeats thereafter against Dempo (1-4), Mumbai FC (1-4) and Churchill Brothers (0-1) dented Lajong’s campaign. The Reds beat Pailan Arrows and lost to Pune FC in the last two matches of the year to settle with 13 points and eighth in the standings.
Meanwhile, SLFC suffered a major setback in the Shillong Premier League. The team was relegated in the local premier league despite fielding some of its I-League players.
Wahingdoh win SPL
Royal Wahingdoh FC’s I-League dreams were shattered yet again after it lost to Goa Vasco SC in a crucial final round match. The Royals had done well, beating the likes of United Sikkim and Mohammedan SC to make it to the final round. The team management apologised to the fans promising a better show next time. Wahingdoh also failed to qualify for the Federation Cup after losing to Kalighat.
Wahingdoh, however, defended its Shillong Premier League (SPL) beating an in-form Rangdajied in the final.
Ar-Hima FC was renamed as Rangdajied FC following a match fixing allegation against some of its senior players during the Second Division I League.
Ar-Hima were rocked by a major controversy after there were allegations that some of its players were influenced by other teams to underperform during the Second Division I-League qualifying round at Silchar.
Coach Subrata Bhattacharya had admitted that he received information that a few of his players had been influenced to underperform.
Following this admission, Bhattacharya was also sacked from his job. Despite the controversies, the team management remained silent and refused to speak to the media on the matter.
Much to the surprise of many of the football fans, the team management decided to change the name of the club to Rangdajied FC months ahead of the SPL.
This change of the name in fact proved to be lucky for the team, but after topping the table during the league stage, Rangdajied lost the final to Wahingdoh
