SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC could not have hoped for a better start to their Federation Cup campaign as the men in red trounced a hapless Salgaocar FC 4-0 in Kochi to take top spot in Group C on Wednesday.
The other Shillong club in action, Rangdajied United FC, were held to a 1-1 draw by East Bengal in their first Group B match.
Redeem Tlang scored his first goal for the senior Lajong team in the 37th minute, around 20 after Seikhohao Tuboi opened the scoring with a terrific header.
The Reds went into the break leading 2-0 and there was no comeback heroics from the Goan team as Taisuke Matsugae and Cornell Glen pumped in two more goals after the restart with rocketing shots to seal the match.
In a hot and humid Kochi, Glen was the star for SLFC.
The Trinidadian has scored most of the seven I-League goals while playing away from Shillong and on Wednesday he was in his element.
Salgaocar recognised how dangerous he could be and tried to keep him checked but to no avail.
Lajong played an excellent team game. They were strong in defence and delivered bursts of speed that caught Salgaocar, who are four-time Fed Cup champions, napping.
The team built up their attacks well and delivered through balls, feints and dummy plays that were well executed.
Glen had an early chance in the fifth minute but his attempt was blocked by Indian national team goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.
The Salgaocar custodian could not, however, stop the header of Tuboi. A cross from Redeem landed perfectly for an unmarked Tuboi to snap his head and put his team into the lead.
Redeem then got his chance to score after Glen performed brilliantly to pass him the ball while deep on the left flank.
The striker had three defenders and the keeper to beat as he crossed the ball across the face of the goalmouth for Redeem to steam in and tap the ball in.
Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira made two substitutions in the first half, but that did not change the situation.
Matsugae made it 3-0 in the second minute of the second half after a defensive lapse by Chika Wali saw the Japanese with too much space while in the box.
His right-footer was directed just above the goalie, but was too powerful to stop.
Even earlier, Glen had another good attempt on goal, but his shot ricocheted off the upright.
After assisting with one goal and looking dangerous throughout, Glen got his name on the scoresheet, smashing a left-footed shot past a diving Karanjit in the 63rd minute.
Lajong could really have had two or three more goals, a fact noted by Glen after the match.
“It was a good team effort,” the Trinidad striker said. “We played really well and could have scored more goals. If we play like this we can finish in the top two of the I-League.”
The Reds next play Mohun Bagan on January 18.
Their comprehensive victory puts the Shillong club at the top of Group C on goal difference, after Bagan beat Mumbai FC 1-0, also on Wednesday.
Christopher Chizoba scored the winner.
Meanwhile, in Manjeri, Rangdajied’s Kim Song Yong put the Blues into the lead in the 20th minute.
RUFC held onto the small lead until the 56th minute when James Moga equalised for East Bengal.
Rangdajied were the better side in first half, playing at a frenetic pace and attacking down the flanks. East Bengal saw the ball more but could not breach the opposition defence.
Edeh Chidi muffed EB’s chance from a penalty kick after Moga was brought down by Tomba Singh inside the box late in the first session, but the Blues also rued their missed chances, especially an 81st minute header from Kim that came off the crossbar.
Rangdajied suffered some misfortune in the second half when Manandeep Singh was stretchered off just a minute after being substituted in.
He picked up a knock but it was later learnt that the injury was not that serious.
Rangdajied will also play their next match on January 18, against Bengaluru FC.
Bengaluru came through 5-3 in a thrilling game against Sporting Clube de Goa.
Beikhokhei (fifth and 40th minutes) and Robin Singh (66th and 90+3) scored two goals each while India captain Sunil Chhetri found the target in the 33rd minute.
Boima Karpeh (74th), Beevan Mello (89th) and Victorino (90+1) scored for Sporting Clube de Goa.
Bengaluru lead the group. (with agency inputs)