I-League
By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 14: Shillong Lajong FC and Gokulam Kerala FC were forced to settle for a goalless draw in their I-League encounter at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Thursday. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, neither side managed to break the deadlock in a match that gained intensity in the second half as both teams hunted for a decisive goal.
The game saw moments of excitement and near misses, with both teams taking turns attacking each other’s goal. However, poor finishing and solid defensive performances kept the scoreline unchanged at the end of 90 minutes. For Shillong Lajong, the draw marked a positive defensive record, as they secured their third consecutive clean sheet in the league.
The first half of the match was a cautious affair, with both teams testing the waters but failing to convert half-chances into meaningful opportunities. The tempo picked up significantly in the second half, with Shillong Lajong and Gokulam Kerala opening up their play in search of a breakthrough.
Gokulam Kerala came close on a few occasions, with their forwards pushing deep into Lajong’s territory, but the home side’s goalkeeper stood firm under pressure. Shillong Lajong, on the other hand, created their fair share of opportunities but lacked the precision to find the back of the net.
Both goalkeepers were kept busy, making crucial saves to deny the opposition. While several attempts went wide, a handful of efforts tested the shot-stoppers, who remained unscathed through the duration of the game. The match showcased moments of brilliance in attack but ultimately highlighted the lack of clinical finishing from both teams.
With this result, Shillong Lajong earned a hard-fought point, which lifted them to the fifth position on the I-League table.
They now have six points from five matches and remain unbeaten in their last three games. Importantly, the team’s defensive stability, evidenced by three clean sheets in a row, has become a cornerstone of their campaign so far.
Gokulam Kerala, meanwhile, recorded their third draw in four matches. The Malabarians also have six points but sit in sixth place, trailing Lajong on goal difference. Despite their attacking intent, Gokulam’s inability to turn chances into goals continues to hamper their progress in the league.
Road Ahead for Shillong Lajong
Shillong Lajong will now shift their focus to their first away fixture of the season, where they are set to face Delhi FC in Mahilpur, Punjab, on December 19.