2 goals in 12 mins help Lajong beat Arrows
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Two quickfire goals from Matthew Mayora and John Menyonger helped Shillong Lajong FC beat Pailan Arrows in a Round 19 I-League match palyed at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.
Mayora sent the first salvo in the 7th minute and Menyonger doubled it for the visitors in the 12th minute to warp up the game in Lajong’s favour and secure 24 points from 19 matches.
Menyonger was brilliant on the field and scored the 100th goal of his I-League career on Sunday.
“Satisfied with the way we performed today. Happy to get three points and maintain another clean sheet here,” Lajong coach Pradhyum Reddy told The Shillong Times.
Keeping up with their promise to give break to young players, Lajong fielded Ronald Zothanzama (defender), Samuel Shadap (defender) and Lalnunmawia (forward) for the match. Joy Kharraswai was also in the squad.
“The youngsters were excellent on the field, especially Lalnunmawia, who is also a member of the India U-17 squad,” Reddy said.
With this win, Lajong are almost certain to avoid relegation this season and can now look to try and edge past teams like Air India (27 points) and Sporting de clube Goa (30 points).
Earlier, Lajong started well with John Menyongar brilliantly going past two defenders from the left to find an unmarked Mayora who did the rest to ensure a 1-0 lead for the visitors as early as the sixth minute.
In the 12th minute, Mayora was brought down inside the box by Pailan’s Pritam Kotal resulting in a penalty. Menyongar stepped up to convert from the spot to give Lajong an almost unassailable 2-0 lead.
From there on it was Lajong’s match and skipper Menyonger displayed excellent skills in the midfield.
Crossing over, Lajong were relentless and it required a special effort from Arrows custodian Naveen Kumar who kept out Menyongar’s header from a corner. “Johnny has been outstanding today and we are proud to have him in the side,” Reddy said.
Also among the thick of action was striker Sushil Singh who almost converted on two occasions, first from a Romenjit Singh cross from the right which he volleyed just wide and then off a Menyongar pass which he shot wide of the nets.
Lajong had chances to further increase their lead in the dying minutes of the match, but a brilliant Naveen Kumar somehow parried the cross from the left as Menyongar and substitute Christopher were waiting to pounce. (With inputs from agencies)
