Shillong, Jan 13: The Shillong Lajong FC were defeated 0-3 by Indian Arrows in their first home game of the year 2019 of the Hero I-League 2018-19 season. The match was held at the JN Stadium in Shillong with a 2 PM kick-off. Vikram Pratap Singh, Lalengmawia and Ninthoiganba Meetei found their names on the scoresheet for the Arrows as they were up by 3 goals by the end of first half.
Lajong started the game with one change from the last match as captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia came back to replace Phrangki Buam. In the opening 5 minutes of the game, it was all the opposition who were on attack as they had 3 corners and a free-kick in Lajong’s half. The Reds’ had their first chance when a short back pass by the Arrow’s defender left Kitbok one on one with the keeper, but his lofted shot failed to find the back of the net.
It was in the 18th minute when the Arrows opened their account. Defender Asish Rai went past Nabin Rabha and Kenstar before crossing one into the box to find Vikram Pratap who headed it past Neithovilie to make it 0-1 for the visitors. Being behind, The Reds tried hard to find the equaliser but apart from a couple of half chances and set pieces there weren’t many chances in the making. In the 33rd minute, the visitors were able to double their lead through a long-ranged effort from midfielder Lalengmawia.
Lajong then had a real chance at goal from a free-kick from Samuela but the opposition keeper did well enough to punch it out and clear the danger away. The referee added on 3 extra minutes by the end of first half and right at the end of the half, Ninthoiganba tripled the visitor’s lead. Rahul KP’s through ball fell perfectly for Rohit Danu to shoot but his shot was saved by Neitho and went straight into the feet of Ninthoi who made it 0-3 at half-time.
The Reds started the second half with a substitution as Phrangki Buam came on to replace Sheen Sohktung and Lajong started the second half with an attacking approach being 3 goals behind. Phrangki combined well with Samuela and Kitbok to create many half chances in the half but the Lajong players didn’t manage to trouble the opposition keeper.
The Reds were defensively compact throughout the half and after 4 minutes of added time the game ended 0-3 with the referee’s whistle.Shillong Lajong will now play host to I-League debutants Real Kashmir FC on 19th of January. The game kicks off at 5 PM.
