By Our Reporter
Shillong, Feb 25: In the I-League clash on Sunday, Shillong Lajong FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against a 10-man TRAU FC, further deepening the latter’s woes in the points table.
TRAU FC now finds themselves at the bottom of the 13-team league, with just one point garnered from seven matches.
Despite playing with a numerical disadvantage for the majority of the game, TRAU FC initially took the lead against the run of play, courtesy of Robinson Singh’s header.
This marked the club’s first goal in five league games this season, highlighting their struggles in front of goal. The goal stemmed from excellent movement and swift passing by the TRAU midfield, culminating in a pinpoint cross from Deepak Singh for Robinson to convert.
However, Shillong Lajong FC responded swiftly, ending TRAU’s lead within five minutes. A series of defensive errors, including a mishandled cross by TRAU goalkeeper Salam Sanaton Singh and a subsequent handball by B Sunil, led to a penalty awarded to Lajong. Hardy Cliff Nongbri calmly converted the spot-kick, leveling the score much to the delight of the partisan crowd.
Despite playing against 10 men, Lajong struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage, with striker Elhadji Karim Samb squandering several close-range opportunities. TRAU, on the other hand, adopted a defensive approach, aiming to preserve their lead against the odds.
The decisive moment came in the 85th minute when Lajong capitalized on a swift counter-attack, with Everbrightson Sana setting up Karim Samb for the winning goal.
Thomas Singh’s own goal in an attempt to block Hardy Cliff sealed TRAU’s fate, despite their late effort through Abraham Okyere, who found the net but was ruled offside.
As the final whistle blew, Shillong Lajong FC emerged victorious, clinching a well-deserved three points and further solidifying their position in the league table.
As the dust settles on an intense encounter, Shillong Lajong FC can celebrate a hard-fought victory that showcased their resilience and determination. Despite facing early setbacks and a resilient TRAU side, Lajong’s perseverance ultimately paid off, securing them a crucial win in the I-League. Meanwhile, TRAU FC’s struggles continue as they find themselves at the bottom of the points table.