SHILLONG: An action-packed second half resulted in a 1-1 draw between Shillong Lajong FC and United SC in a fifth round I-League match at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Saturday.
The first half ended goalless and, while there were no real clear cut chances, both teams made attacking moves into the opposite halves.
The few highlights of the first 45 minutes included a Boithang Haokip cross in the 24th minute. With two players forward and the defenders out of position, Cornell Glen latched onto the forward pass. With an advancing goalkeeper, the Trinidadian had just one chance but fired the ball well over the bar.
Seven minutes later Lajong were in a dangerous positio. A back pass from Wailadmi Passah was not executed well, forcing Vinay Singh to have to rush out of the goalmouth.
The keeper did well, kicking the ball away, but he was far out of position, that presented the visitors with a chance that went abegging.
There was good play by Lajong up front towards the latter part of the first half. In the 37th minute there was nice passing between Glen and Uilliams Souza Silva. The attack resulted in Boithang having time to wind up and unleash a left-footer that went wide.
The visitors took the lead in the 49th minute courtesy Eric Brown.
It all started with a Minchol Son error on the right flank. Chased by a United player, he tried to clear the ball, but it went straight to another opponent. The ball was then passed to Brown on the left flank. Outside the box, he fired in a low left-footer that beat the diving Vinay.
Two minutes later, however, Glen, who has been under fire from certain sections for his performance in the three previous home games, equalised for the home team.
A long throw-in was taken by Tuboi on the left flank. He flung the ball into the box and Glen leaped up to head the ball in. This was his third goal of the season after scoring a brace in the 3-0 win at Dempo.
In an exciting last 10 minutes, it looked like Lajong took the lead in the 84th after Subash Singh passed the ball to to Uilliams. With only one defender back, he passed the ball to the unmarked Tuboi, but the latter was called for offside after lobbing the ball over the keeper.
Lajong coach Thangboi Singto said he was happy with the performance of the boys. “It’s a good comeback for us…I can see the energy in the boys especially in the second half,” Singto said, adding that the less than desired performance in the last match (losing 0-4 to East Bengal) served as a timely wake-up call for the squad.
Singto was particularly appreciative of the zeal showed by the boys as the game went deep into the second half.
“United are a good team and we need to take this momentum forward,” he added. “The players know their job but sometimes need extra motivation and that is my job as a coach.”
United manager Anjan Nath expressed his happiness with the result.
“It is a happy result, to take one point away from Shillong,” he said. “The team fought hard today and although fitness is an issue, the players will be all right in three-four games.”
Asked about Tuboi, who has had more than his fair share of injuries, Singto gave credit to the team physiotherapists, who have been working with the player.
Tuboi played the full 90 minutes and Singto said that his self belief is growing.
“We’re starting to see some good performances from him,” Singto said, adding that the best is yet to come.
United SC are in fourth place in the standings with Lajong eighth.
SLFC have a busy few days ahead of them, playing Mumbai FC in Pune on October 23 and Churchill Brothers at home on October 27.
“This is a problem that Shilllong teams face,” Singto said when asked whether this would affect his boys.
“Long journeys take their toll, but we will have to try our best.”