By Our Reporter
Shillong, March 29: The Northeast derby lived up to its billing yet again as Shillong Lajong FC and Aizawl FC played out an eight-goal thriller, settling for a dramatic 4–4 draw in their I-League 2024–25 clash at the SSA Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts led 2-1 at half-time. It was a match full of twists and turns. Douglas Tardin’s (30’, 65’) brace, a late goal from Phrangki Buam (90+2’), and an own goal by Luis Rodríguez (42’ og) put the hosts in the lead on four different occasions. But Aizawl, fighting to avoid relegation, refused to give in. Malsawmzuala Tlangte (35’) opened the scoring for the visitors before Samuel Lalmuanpuia (55’) and Lalhriatpuia (78’) added to the tally. Aizawl eventually managed to snatch a point in stoppage time through Lalrinzuala’s (90+4’ p) penalty. For Aizawl, the draw carries huge implications. Though a win would have provided greater relief, the single point sees them move to 10th in the table with 20 points from 21 matches.
SC Bengaluru have the same points but have a game in hand, and are provisionally 11th due to their inferior head-to-head record against Aizawl. The battle to beat the drop now hinges heavily on SC Bengaluru’s remaining matches against Namdhari FC (March 30) and Sreenidi Deccan FC (April 5).
Aizawl play their last match of the season against Namdhari FC (April 5).
Lajong, meanwhile, climb to seventh in the table with 27 points from 21 games, ahead of Sreenidi Deccan by dint of a better head-to-head record, though the latter have a game in hand.
While Lajong will be frustrated at letting the win slip away in the dying minutes, they contributed to one of the most entertaining matches of the season.