Shillong: Shillong Lajong FC slumped to their third defeat in a row when they went down 1-2 to Aizawl FC in a Hero I-League match at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in the Mizoram capital on Tuesday.
The Reds have only themselves to blame for the loss as they squandered a golden opportunity which came in the form of a penalty in the 5th minute of the match. Later two goals, one each in either half, snatched the tie and probably what was the first opportunity to secure a point for the Reds.
While Lalruatthara gave the home side the breakthrough in the 31st minute, Jayesh Rane doubled the lead in the 63rd minute to seal the deal for the hosts.
For Lajong, Japanese midfielder Yuta Kinowaki scored the solitary goal of a penalty to reduce the margin.
Earlier, Shillong Lajong started the proceedings on a bright note looking in full control.
In the 5th minute, Lajong were given a penalty when the referee spotted Lalruatthara bringing down Redeem Tlang inside the box. Lajong’s Brazilian striker Fabio Pena, who stepped up to take the shot from the spot, was denied by rival custodian Alvino Gomes who blocked a firm shot aimed at the far right of the net.
An undeterred Lajong side continued raid the rival half pushing Aizawl behind till the half hour mark when they conceded the first goal. In the 31st minute, Lalruatthara found the back of the Shillong net.
Alfred Jaryan, who had positioned himself in front of the goal, made a backheel and Lalruatthara tapped it home to draw the first blood for his team.
Crossing over, Lajong came close to equalising in the 48th minute when Isaac’s cross found Fabio who was inside the box but the latter’s header went narrowly wide of the right post.
In the 63rd minute, former Mumbai FC midfielder Jayesh Rane scored his first goal for Aizawl FC as the hosts doubled the lead.
Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al-Amna outran fellow defenders dribbling the ball in the left flank and had his cross converted by Rane.
Later, Aizawl were penalized once again when Kingsley Eze fouled Yuta Kinowaki who took the penalty and scored the first goal of the season for Lajong in the 83rd minute.
But the effort was not enough to save the day for the first club from the north east to make it to the I-League.
Lajong, who have also lost to defending champions Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan, will have their task cut out when they take on Minerva Punjab in their first home match of the season here on Saturday.
While Aizawl have 7 points from 3 matches, Lajong are yet to open their account.
