I-League 2018-19: 3 reasons why NEROCA FC won against Shillong Lajong FC

#2 Aibanbha’s poor display let Shillong down

Dohling had his worst day on the field

Shillong Lajong coach Alison Kharsyntiew decided to bench regular captain Samuel Lalhlimpuia and gave the captain’s armband to Aibanbha Dohling, one of their trusted lieutenants on the midfield. However, the move came back to haunt him and Dohling had his worst day on the field. Though Samuel came on later in the second half, there was little time to change the complexion of the game.

All the three goals came from mistakes of Dohling. He never looked confident in his role. Within just eight minutes of the game, he fouled Japanese striker Katsumi Yusa within the box. The foul was rough and completely unnecessary given the situation of the game. Katsumi scored to put NEROCA FC ahead.

Just twelve minutes later, he failed to stop Subhash Singh and the latter’s shot deflected off Dohling’s leg to change its direction and went into the net, leaving goalkeeper Neto bamboozled.

Lajong got themselves back into the game in the second half and just a minute after they scored, Dohling failed to make a clearance and put the ball into his own net. It was a poor display from the captain and had the third goal not been scored, Lajong would have come away with a point.