Shillong, Dec 19: Shillong Lajong FC suffered a hard-fought 1-3 defeat to Delhi FC in a gripping I-League encounter at the Coach Ali Hassan Football Stadium in Mahilpur, Punjab, on Thursday.
Despite a spirited effort, Lajong’s challenge was undone by key moments and a dominant second-half display from the home side.
Delhi FC, playing their first season in Mahilpur as their new home base, started with intent and took the lead in just the 7th minute through Vanlalhriatzuala. The early strike put the Shillong side on the back foot, but they managed to regroup and find their rhythm as the match progressed. Their persistence paid off in the 34th minute when Phrangki Buam showcased his attacking flair to equalize for Lajong, sending the traveling fans into celebration.The teams entered halftime locked at 1-1, with Lajong showing glimpses of promise against a strong Delhi side. However, the second half saw the hosts assert their dominance. In the 54th minute, Stephane Binong latched onto a well-placed pass to restore Delhi’s lead. Just over 10 minutes later, Himanshu Jangra capitalized on a defensive lapse to extend the advantage to 3-1, leaving Lajong with a mountain to climb.
Adding to Lajong’s woes, midfielder Daniel Goncalves received his second yellow card during injury time, resulting in a dismissal that further highlighted the team’s frustrations.
With this result, Shillong Lajong remain in 8th place on the I-League table, having accumulated six points from six matches. Although they have shown flashes of brilliance, the team will need to address their defensive frailties and build consistency as they look to climb the standings.
The road ahead does not get any easier for Lajong, as they prepare to face Real Kashmir FC in their next fixture. The match is scheduled for January 10, 2025, at 7 pm at the SSA Stadium in Shillong, giving the home fans a chance to rally behind their team in pursuit of a much-needed win.
While this defeat against Delhi FC is a setback, Lajong will take heart from their moments of competitiveness and look to regroup ahead of their next challenge.
Despite the loss, Shillong Lajong can take valuable lessons from the game as they aim to refine their strategies and improve their form in the matches ahead. With home support awaiting them in their upcoming clash against Real Kashmir FC, the team will hope to capitalize on the familiar conditions and reignite their campaign with a strong performance. Consistency and resilience will be key as Lajong strive to make their mark in the I-League this season.
