By Our Reporter
Shillong, Feb 28: In a thrilling I-League encounter on Wednesday, Shillong Lajong FC battled to a 4-4 draw against Rajasthan United in a fiercely contested match held in Shillong.
Rajasthan United kicked off the scoring in the 12th minute courtesy of Naoba Singh, setting the tempo for an intense showdown.
However, Lajong swiftly responded, with Kynsaibor Lhuid finding the back of the net in the 25th minute to level the score.
The momentum swung in Lajong’s favor just before halftime when Douglas Tardin calmly converted a penalty in the 45th minute, granting his team a slender lead.
However, their advantage was short-lived as Lajong suffered a setback in the 50th minute when Allen Camper received a red card, reducing them to 10 men and allowing Rajasthan United to capitalize with Raghav Gupta equalizing the score.
Undeterred, Lajong regained the lead in the 80th minute courtesy of Daniel Goncalves, sparking hope for a triumphant finish. This hope was further bolstered in the 85th minute when Phrangki Buam extended Lajong’s lead with a well-taken goal.
Yet, the drama was far from over as Rajasthan United staged a remarkable comeback, netting two goals in additional time. Denzil found the back of the net in the 93rd minute, followed swiftly by Lalnunchunga’s goal in the 95th minute, leaving both teams deadlocked at the final whistle.
With the match ending in a pulsating draw, both Shillong Lajong FC and Rajasthan United secured a point each.
Looking ahead, Lajong will shift their focus to their upcoming away fixture against Churchill Brothers on Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m.
The match is scheduled to take place at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Goa, promising another exciting clash in the ongoing I-League season.
The thrilling encounter between Shillong Lajong FC and Rajasthan United showcased the competitive spirit and resilience of both teams. With an impressive display of skill and determination, they fought fiercely until the final whistle, ultimately settling for a hard-fought draw.