Dominant Reds share the spoils with Shivajians

SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC rallied to hold DSK Shivajians to a 1-1 draw in a fiercely contested Hero ILeague tie at the J N Stadium here on Friday night. It was the second time in six days that the two teams met but the result was no different. The two sides had played out a similar draw in Pune on February 21. The visitors drew first blood when Pierrick Dica headed one home at the stroke of the hour. However, Lajong restored parity within 15 minutes through a Boithang Haokip free kick from the edge of the box to deny DSK a famous win in Shillong. Lajong were guilty of squandering chances in either halves in a match played under cold conditions here on Friday. DSK threatened to take things in control in the very first minute when Israil Gurung was fouled against just outside the box. However the subsequent free kick by Douhou Pierre landed safely with SLFC custodian Vishal Kahit. Post this it was the hosts who began to call the shots. In the 9th minute a Uilliams Silva aim at the nets was brilliantly saved by a diving rival custodian Prosenjit Ghosh. Rupert Nongrum was guilty of squandering a brilliant opportunity three minutes later when he smashed one way over the nets from a beautiful position on the right of the box much to the dismay of the over 3000-strong crowd. Five minutes later Fabio Pena was guilty of smashing one on the side-netting as the DSK back line heaved a sigh of relief. In the 26th minute Uilliams was again denied by Prosenjit. The Brazilian’s shot beat two defenders but could not pierce through the rival custodian who made yet another diving save. Within five minutes of the half hour mark DSK made a mess of a couple of chances. First it was Indrajeet Chougale whose firm shot from the right sailed over the cross bar and then a well placed Pierrick inexplicably headed the ball wide of the nets from close range. Fabio missed another train to glory when he misplaced a shot from a tight angle on the right in the 38th minute. The Brazilian hit across the face of the goal to send the ball wide on the left. Crossing over, DSK looked more determined and were rewarded at the hour mark when after being fed by a Juan Quero cross, Pierrick headed straight into the back of the nets to make it 1-0 for his side. Having dominated most of the tie till then, the hosts were unlikely to yield this early and not surprisingly struck back in the 74th minute through a Boithang Haokip free kick which was awarded when Haroon Amiri brought Penn Orji down just outside the box. A brilliant shot from the set piece sailed home as Lajong restored parity. The hosts should have doubled the lead four minutes later but Orji was guilty of being reckless. With only the goalie to beat from close range, Orji smashed one over the nets much to the dismay of the home supporters.After this tie Lajong were at the fifth spot in the standings with 11 points from 9 matches while DSK moved to the eighth spot above Salgaocar with six points in their kitty.