By Our Reporter
Shillong, Nov 3: In a thrilling encounter at the Naihati Bankimanjali Stadium in West Bengal on Friday, Shillong Lajong kicked off their I-League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Mohammedan Sporting Club.
The first half saw Shillong Lajong taking the lead with a score of 1-0, thanks to T. Miki’s goal in the 45th minute. The visitors appeared to have control over the match as they headed into halftime with the advantage.
However, Mohammedan SC came back strong in the second half, with D. Lalhlansanga finding the back of the net in the 54th minute, assisted by A. Gomez. This equalizer leveled the score at 1-1, and both teams fought fiercely to break the deadlock.
Mirjalol Kasimov, the midfielder for Mohammedan SC, received a yellow card just three minutes into the game, setting the tone for a closely contested battle.
Throughout the game, both teams made several substitutions in an attempt to gain the upper hand, but the final whistle blew with the score remaining 1-1.
Shillong Lajong’s next challenge is against NEROCA on November 9, where they will aim to secure a victory in front of their home crowd. Football enthusiasts can anticipate more thrilling matches in the I-League as the season unfolds.
Earlier in the day, Shillong Lajong Football Club announced Meghalaya Tourism as Main Sponsor for I-League 2023-24 Campaign. Lajong returned back in the I-League after a gap of four years.
Their next game will be played at home in Shillong at the SSA Stadium on 9th November against Neroca FC from Manipur. Habamutlang Lyngdoh, General Manager of SLFC stated that “Lajong is honored to be associated with Meghalaya Tourism as the Main Sponsor for the I-League 2023-24 campaign. This is a momentous occasion for us to be joining the highly competitive national stage of Indian Football once again. With the support of Meghalaya Tourism, we aim to further develop football in our state and uphold Shillong’s participation in the National League as well as Meghalaya’s upward trajectory in the game of football in the country.”
Lajong holds a special place in the history of football in North East India. The club first rose to prominence in 2009, becoming the first team from the North East region to make a mark in the national football landscape. With Meghalaya Tourism’s endorsement, Lajong aspires to continue their legacy of excellence and inspire young talent in the state.
“Partnering with Shillong Lajong Football Club aligns perfectly with the Meghalaya Tourism’s objective of promoting Meghalaya as a vibrant and thriving tourist destination. Sports, particularly football, plays a significant role in attracting visitors to the state particularly the younger generation. By supporting Lajong’s I-League 2023-24 campaign, Meghalaya’s beauty will be authentically showcased to a wider audience and cement the state’s position as a sporting and travel destination with a special focus on promoting nature and adventure tourism in Meghalaya.”
The sponsorship provided by Meghalaya Tourism will not only contribute to the success of the football club but also bolster the development of football in the state.