By Our Reporter
Shillong, March 1: Shillong Lajong FC kicked off their Indian Football League campaign with a spirited 1–1 draw against Rajasthan United FC at the SSA Stadium, Polo Grounds, on Sunday evening.
Roared on by an energetic home crowd, Lajong began with purpose and attacking intent.
The early momentum paid dividends in the 15th minute when Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah found the breakthrough, sending the stands into raptures and giving the hosts a deserved advantage.
The visitors, however, regrouped after the interval and returned with renewed determination. Their persistence bore fruit in the 53rd minute as Abhishek Ambekar slotted home the equaliser, setting up a tense and evenly contested second half.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but despite creating several promising openings, neither could find the decisive touch. Lajong’s young, all-Indian squad displayed commendable resilience and composure throughout, underlining their fighting spirit as representatives of Meghalaya and the wider North East in the newly rebranded league. Speaking after the match, the head coach praised his players for their effort and discipline while also acknowledging the passionate support from the stands, crediting the fans for acting as the team’s “12th Man”.
Shillong Lajong FC will now turn their attention to their next assignment against Real Kashmir FC on March 8 at the SSA Stadium, Polo, as they look to build momentum in the early stages of the campaign.
