SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong were defeated 1-2 by Neroca FC in the 3rd North East Derby of the Hero I-League 2018-19 season. The match was held at the JN Stadium in Shillong.
Felix Chidi and Subash Singh scored the goals in each half for Neroca whereas Phrangki Buam scored for the hosts making him the joint highest Indian goal scorer of the season so far.
Lajong started the game with one change from the last match as Rakesh Pradhan came in to replace Allen Nongbri at the left-back. The Reds didn’t have the best start to the game as Neroca had a chance from the first play of the game, but it was alert Neitho who kept the danger away.
The visitors were putting constant pressure on Lajong and it took the brilliance of both the defenders Aiban and Kenstar along with The Reds’ custodian Neitho to keep his goal at bay. Lajong had the first real chance of the game at the 19th minute when Lalawmpuia Hnamte fed a perfect through ball for Phrangki who failed to keep his shot on target.
The game was then evenly poised with both teams creating chances at each end but wasn’t posing any real threat until Felix Chidi scored the first goal of the match in the 33rd minute. Goalkeeper Neitho’s save fell perfectly for Malemnganba whose cross was then headed in by Chidi to make it 0-1.
After conceding the goal, Lajong brought in Mahesh Singh to replace Hnamte and they started to dominate the game creating chances after chances thereafter but despite trying hard, it was Neroca who was leading at the end of first half.
The Reds started the half in a much brighter note and were on attack right from the referee’s whistle.
Just into the 3rd minute of the half, Lajong finally found the equaliser with Phrangki Buam who found the back of the net for the second consecutive game.
It was a move created from the left and Mahesh found Phrangki with an inch-perfect through ball who then made no mistake to blast it past Neroca’s keeper.
However, the game ended in Neroca’s favour as Lajong succumbed to a 1-2 loss. Shillong Lajong will now travel to Srinagar to take on I-League debutants Real Kashmir FC on December 11.
