I-League 2018-19: East Bengal v Shillong Lajong Laldanmawia Ralte's Love for Goals sees Red and Gold mount late title challenge

It was win that was expected - even the scoreline.

Against a heavyweight East Bengal full of talented foreigners, Lajong stood no chance of creating an upset. It didn’t happen either as East Bengal thrashed the Meghalaya-based team 5-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday.

Laldanmawia Ralte, the revelation for the Red and Golds this season, scored a fine hat-trick with Jobby Justin and Enrique Esqueda also finding the net in the 2nd half. This is the biggest victory for East Bengal this season and has kept them in the hunt for the I-League title.

With this win, East Bengal climbed up to the third position on the table with 31 points from 15 matches, leapfrogging Churchill Brothers. East Bengal trail Chennai City by 3 points with a game in hand. Shillong Lajong remained on the 11th position with another bad display.

Let us look at the reasons behind East Bengal’s win:

#3 Complete domination from East Bengal

East Bengal produced a dominating performance throughout the match

Before the match, East Bengal coach Alejandro Menendez promised that his team would match the pace produced by the young Shillong Lajong team, which relies on speed to win matches.

What transpired during the match was complete domination from East Bengal as Lajong’s youngsters were no match against their opponents, who ticked every box on the field.

From the very first minute, East Bengal took control of the game. It was a superb example of all-round performance by the red and golds. Their passing was brilliant, played short passes to create attacks, using the wings judiciously, pressed for every ball, made all-out attacks but maintained a disciplined defence.

The introduction of Enrique Esqueda in the starting lineup helped East Bengal to maintain composure in the attacking third, an area where they lacked in the previous matches. Esqueda was impressive throughout. Apart from scoring a goal, he provided an assist.

But Laldanmawia’s exceptional performance mesmerized all. Rather than his usual position on the right wing, he was operating more as a withdrawn striker and that helped East Bengal create more pressure up front. In fact, if they converted all the chances that they got, they could have won by a bigger margin.

#2 Shillong Lajong came up short of experience again

Lajong had no answer against East Bengal's attack

Shillong Lajong, a team that once made North-Eastern football proud, have witnessed their worst season so far. Opting to field a team with all their academy boys has come back to haunt them in almost every match.

Of course, their decision should be held as far as the development of Indian football is concerned. But playing in a tournament which has relegation may cost you dear. And in all probability, Lajong will be relegated this season.

It was the third heaviest defeat for Lajong after losing 6-1 against Chennai City and Real Kashmir.

The team from Meghalaya gained enough confidence after beating defending champions Minerva Punjab and heavyweight Churchill Brothers in their previous two matches. However, they couldn’t display the same performance against a more heavyweight and disciplined side.

Even before the players settled themselves, Lajong conceded the first goal. Just when they were taking control of the game, two goalkeeping howlers cost them the match.

Trailing 0-4 in the first half is enough to dent your confidence. It was almost impossible for them to make a comeback in the 2nd half. It didn’t happen as expected.

#1 Hat-trick Hero Laldanmawia steals the limelight

Danmawia scored a brilliant hat-trick

Coming into this match, Laldanmawia Ralte was known for his excellent performance in the Kolkata Derby. In the previous four encounters, he scored three goals and became a hero in the eyes of the Red and Golds faithful.

But it was his hat-trick on Thursday that stood above everything. It was the first hat-trick by an Indian footballer this season. He has now scored his seventh goal of the campaign.

The Mizo footballer usually keeps himself quiet all the time. But on the field, he is hungry like a starving tiger. Whenever he gets the ball on his feet, he tries to make an impact.

But above everything, it is his brilliant positioning that earned him the reputation. During his first goal, he was waiting at the far post and gladly put the ball into the net through a well-taken corner off Lalrindika Ralte.

The 2nd goal was a sheer piece of brilliance. He was waiting in the Lajong half when Borja Gomez crossed him a perfect delivery. Seeing the Lajong goalkeeper off his line, Laldanmawia received the ball with his right foot and lobbed it over the goalkeeper before anyone could intercept.

His hat-trick goal was a gift from his teammates. After receiving the ball on the right flank, Jaime Santos made a cross to Jobby Justin. Justin, who saw the onrushing Laldanmawia from behind, left the ball for him. The Mizo footballer received the ball before putting it into the back of the net with his 2nd touch.

Spanish coach Alejandro kept his trust on the young footballer from the very beginning and the Mizo is paying it back in every match. It is expected he would shine more in the coming matches.