Red Lizards hammer Lajong

Pune:Thongkhosiem Haokip scored a hat trick as Pune FC drubbed Shillong Lajong 5-2 in an I-League match in their first home match of the season here on Thursday.
Haokip proved to be the star of the day as his side showed no mercy to their opponents in their Round 3 match at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium here.
The hosts took an early lead when Haokip struck in the second minute. It was striker Darko Nikac, who sent in a straight ball from the midfield to Ryuji Sueoka. The Japanese headed the ball back and Haokip took control of it and made no mistake in sending the ball past Shillong goalie TP Rehenesh.
Haokip struck again in the 12th minute when right winger Edgar Marcelino put in a cross to him. Haokip, who was lurking around the goal area, made it look easy as he chipped the ball into the nets.
Before things could settle down, Haokip struck his third goal of the day three minutes later when Sueoka’s attempt was thwarted by a Shillong defender. Haokip pounced on the ball and took possession before firing the ball in the back of the nets to send the home crowd of 3500 on their feet.
In the 43rd minute it was Sueoka’s turn to score when Mathew Gonsalves sent in a cross to Nikac, who headed the ball into the six-yard box. Sueoka was there to make the finishing touches.
Nikac scored in the 45th minute to add to the tally when he passed through a few Shillong defenders and shot straight into the nets.
For the visitors, Durga Boro scored in the 36th minute and Cornell pulled one back in the 75th minute.
Shillong Lajong are now set for another tough away match against East Bengal on February 1. (PTI)