Shillong, Jan 20: Shillong Lajong FC succumbed to a 0-1 defeat against Real Kashmir FC in what was their 6th home game of the 2018-19 I-League season. The match was held at the JN Stadium in Shillong with a 5 PM kick-off. Aaron Katebe scored the winning goal for Real Kashmir FC in the 74th minute.
Coach Alison made three changes going into the game as goalkeeper Phurba made his comeback into the starting XI replacing Neitho along with Phrangki Buam and Lalawmpuia Hnamte who replaced Samuel Lalmuanpuia and Sheen Sohktung. The Reds started the game keeping their eyes set on a positive result and were on attack right from the very beginning.
Lajong had their first chance of the game as early as 5 minutes into the game but Kitbok failed to put his free-kick past the Kashmir wall and the shot of rebound from Samuel Kynshi went over the bar without troubling the goalkeeper. Both the teams shared the ball possession in the coming minutes before Phrangki saw his effort of a free-kick cleared to safety by the Kashmir defenders.
Lajong’s next real chance came in the 39th minute of the game when Samuel Kynshi had a clear go at goal only to see his shot punched away to safety. It was then Lajong’s keeper Phurba who was brought into action as he had to come up with an exquisite save to keep the game goalless heading into the half-time.
The second half saw the visitors more on the ball and it led Phurba to make a couple of saves early in the half to keep his goal intact. Mahesh Singh in the following minutes had a couple of chances to shoot from distance but he didn’t manage to keep his shot on target. The only goal of the game came at the 74th minute when Aaron Katebe of Real Kashmir headed in from a corner for the visitors.
The remaining minutes of the game saw The Reds putting their all in search of an equaliser but apart from a couple of half chances they were not able to trouble the visitors and the game ended 0-1 in favour of Real Kashmir FC after the end of 4 additional minutes added on by the referee. Lajong goalkeeper, Phurba Lachenpa was awarded the Hero of the Match in today’s game.Shillong Lajong will next face Minerva Punjab on 25th of January. The game kicks off at 2 PM.
