Glen leads the way with hat trick as Lajong win 5-1
SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong saved the best for the last as they beat the mighty East Bengal 5-1 to not only dismiss all relegation threats but stamp their authority as a tried and tested side at the top flight of Indian football. Playing their last Hero I-League match of the season at the JN Stadium on Saturday, the Reds had no choice but to go all out for a win in order to avoid a possible relegation and they could not have asked for a better show from the players.
To the delight of the thousands who turned up with their fingers crossed, Lajong ran riot scoring once in the first half and four times in the second virtually knocking out the visitors by the 70th minute. Once again, Cornell Glen rose to the occasion, scoring his second hat trick of the season (48th, 75th and 81st minutes) while Zodingliana (21st) and Seiminlen Doungel (70th) chipped in with a goal each. East Bengal’s lone goal was scored by Cavin Lobo (32nd minute).
Lajong’s victory meant that they finished ninth in the standings with 23 points in their kitty while East Bengal have to be content with a fourth-place finish to the season. The biggest losers though were 10th placed Dempo who have been relegated to the second division following a 2-0 loss to Salgaocar.
Coach Thangboi Singto, who has been under quite a bit of pressure throughout the season, praised his boys for the excellent show.
“Full credit to the players for the way they performed in such a crucial match,” Singto said after the match.
Earlier, Lajong were boosted by the return of skipper Aiborlang Khongjee and Uilliams Souza Silva to the starting XI. Aibor had missed out on much of the season due to an injury while Uilliams missed the last game for being under suspension.
The hosts started on a bright note with the nimble-footed Zodingliana leading the way. He looked attacking as early as the sixth minute, when he made a good run from the left to deliver a sublime cross inside the box. Unfortunately for him, none of his team mates could reach for the ball. Four minutes later Zodingliana spotted Glen at the edge of the box but the latter was crowded by too many and could not place his left footer to perfection.
Meanwhile, the visitors too had their share of chances, first when Dudu Omagbeni hit his shot straight at Lajong goalkeeper Kunzang Bhutia in the eighth minute and a minute later when Ranti Martins unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box which sailed over the bar.
Zodingliana, however, was finally rewarded for his resilience when he gave his side the lead in the 21st minute. Zodinaliana struck after being beautifully set up by Glen. A long ball found Glen midway in East Bengal’s half and the latter put forward a sublime delivery for Zodingliana who ran in from just outside the box to outsmart the goalie.
East Bengal responded two minutes after the half hour mark through Lobo. Robert Lalthlanumna raced in from the left before cutting one back to Lobo who placed the ball well enough to beat a diving Kunzang Bhutia.
The first half ended with the scores leveled at 1-1.
Lajong could not have asked for a better start to the second half as Glen struck from the tip of the box after being fed by Uilliams in the 48th minute to restore the lead for his side.
Glen’s other two entries on the score sheet were in the 75th and 80th minutes, getting ahead of the defenders to score with his right boot in the former and heading the ball to make it 5-1 in the latter. Glen finished the season with 16 goals. Before this, Seiminlen Doungel proved to be the super substitution of the game after scoring a brilliant goal just two minutes after coming on the field for Uilliams Souza Silva. In the end it was a well deserved victory for the Reds and their faithful who have seen many a struggle this season.
