SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC came from behind to hold the Mariners to a much deserved 2-2 draw in the 22nd round of the I-League, which was played at the Kalyani Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday.
It was a brilliant display of football by the visiting Reds, who were down twice in the match before winning a share of the spoils.
Mohun Bagan started off as the better side but more opportunities came Lajong’s way and they were the dominant side as they came out looking to turn things around.
The hosts could have taken the lead in the 26th minute but were unlucky when Nabi’s header went to the far post courtesy a Nirmal Chettri cross.
In the 28th minute Minchol Son missed a free header from a corner kick taken by Eugeneson Lyngdoh and eight minutes later Lajong missed another chance when Edinho Junior’s header was saved by Mohun Bagan custodian Shilton Paul as he flicked the ball over the bar.
Just before half time Lajong could have broken the deadlock when Sushil Singh brilliantly set up Taisuke Matsugae but he failed to convert the chance as his shot went wide.
It was a half that was competitive, yet lacking when it came to producing goals and as a result both the sides went into the break all square.
Crossing over, the second half was much better, as both teams pushed to break the deadlock in an attempt to grab the all important three points.
The match came to life when Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey took a shot in the 51st minute to give Mohun Bagan the lead, which was assisted by Sabeeth.
However, one minute later, Boithang Haokip cancelled Bagan’s lead by beating the opposition custodian Shilton Paul with a scintillating curler, which could be one of the season’s most memorable goals.
The goal was truly a peach of a curler from the Manipuri, who added yet another feather in his goal-scoring cap.
The Mariners took the lead once again when Manish Maithani took the ball home in the 61st minute.
Shillong Lajong pushed for the elusive leveller and their efforts paid off when a Boithang Haokip cross found substitute PC Lalhlimthara in the 79th minute to make it 2-2.
Lalhimthara yet again delivered when his team needed him the most, beating Shilton at the near post.
With this draw, Mohun Bagan are in bottom spot with 10 points while SLFC are still in 10th position with 21 points.
Meanwhile, in other matches on the day, ONGC capitalised on Sporting Clube de Goa being reduced to 10 men as they came from behind to hold the hosts to a 1-1 draw and split points in Mapusa, Goa.
The hosts took the lead in the 20th minute through Dawson Fernandes but ONGC’s Hassan Odeola scored the valuable equaliser in the 77th minute.
In Pune, Dempo, who were in third place, moved down one in the standings after losing 0-2 to Pune FC at the Balewadi Stadium.
Pune have now moved to third place with 37 points from 20 matches, one less game than the teams around them.
The home team scored in the first half, with Sukhwin-der Singh scoring in the 30th minute, while James Moga added another in the 44th.