I-League 2017: Mohun Bagan vs Shillong Lajong, 5 Talking points

Lajong would have been worried after the early penalty. (Photo: I-League)

#3 The game turns in the space of two minutes

Shillong Lajong kept niggling at Mohun Bagan despite being a goal down. (Photo: I-League)

Bagan began the second half with a defensive outlook as they allowed Lajong possession of the ball, opting to just sit back and defend.

For a good 10 minutes, that approach seemed to merit it's use as Lajong did not look particularly threatening, playing more lateral passes than any incisive ones. However, that all changed in the 71st minute as Aiman Al-Hagri finally showed more adventure, taking on the defence with a sharp run into the box from the left. Bagan's captain for the day, Kinshuk Debnath, slid in for the challenge and clearly fouled Al-Hagri as the referee pointed to the spot.

Lajong's little dynamo, captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia stepped up and dispatched a fantastic penalty to bring his side level.

Two minutes later, it was Samuel again, this time drawing a foul from Bagan's main defender Kingsley Eze. Eze was booked, but it happened to be his second yellow, resulting in his marching orders. That further set Bagan back as what began as a promising evening threatened to go sour.

Samuel was taken off on a stretcher after that knock and looked to be in pain. Lajong will be hoping their captain's injury is not too serious.

Edited by Soumo Ghosh