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Shillong Lajong FC hosted NEROCA FC in Shillong for their seventh game in the I-League. Lajong hasn't had the best of starts to this I-League season as they languish at the bottom half of the table in the 10th spot.
NEROCA FC too have had a poor start to the league as they found themselves in eighth place in the league table before the game kicked off.
Both the teams were desperate for a win as a win could have taken both the sides out of the danger zone.
The game started with both the teams taking a cautious approach and getting a feel of the opponents. Slowly the game came into life with both the teams creating more than a few chances.
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NEROCA FC took the lead midway through the first half through Felix Odili Chidi. At the halftime break, the scoreboard read 1-0 in favour of NEROCA FC.
Lajong equalised almost immediately after the halftime break through Phrangki Buam.
Subhash Singh scored in the 82nd minute to give NEROCA FC the lead in the dying moments of the game.
That goal turned out to be the winning goal for NEROCA FC. The scoreboard at fulltime read 2-1 in favour of NEROCA FC.
On that note let us take a look at the five talking points from today's game.
#5 Lack of Experience and Momentary loss of Concentration Keep haunting Lajong
Lajong have been playing some of the best football in the league regarding build-up and keeping possession, but their lack of experience in every part of the field has been a significant issue for them.
The lack of experience in the team is also a reason why they haven't been able to convert the positive plays into points.
Another issue that has been haunting Lajong this season is their momentary loss in concentration which has pegged them back on a couple of occasions this season. It was evident during the East Bengal game, and then they were punished for the same by Churchill badly, and today they conceded in the dying moments due to the same reason.
Kenstar and Rakesh Pradhan were often seen having a lapse in concentration during the game which saw them make some unforced errors.
Lajong policy of fielding local and academy players this season means that not much can be done regarding the lack of experience, but Alison will hope to work on the concentration part.
#4 Return of Eduardo and Katsumi work wonders for NEROCA FC
Eduardo and Katsumi Yusa are two of the most influential players in this NEROCA FC side, and they missed a couple of games this season due to injury. NEROCA FC missed their services in those crucial games, and it was evident in the way they played.
Eduardo is a type of player who leads the team from behind and helps the defence keep the shape and makes sure that there is coordination between the midfielders and defenders.
Katsumi Yusa is a player who needs little introduction in India football. He has the experience of playing for the Big two of Indian football and has also played the ISL for Northeast United FC.
Katsumi had an impact on the game today as he created numerous chances for the Chidi and Subhas and also kept the likes of Rohlua busy defending.
Eduardo was crucial in defence and made some vital clearances and interceptions. He also put in some last-ditch tackles to ensure that NEROCA came out of this game with all three points.
#3 Phrangki Buam another one for the future from Shillong Lajong
When the season was about to start, all the pundits and critics were getting their predictions in place everyone mentioned Samuel as the one to watch out for in Shillong Lajong given the Mizo midfielder had a stellar season last year and was leading the team this year too.
Very few people knew Phrangki Buam before the season started, but he has turned out to be one of the most important players this season for Lajong.
An attacking midfielder in general, Phrangki can play as a central midfielder or as a second striker if required.
The young Lajong Academy graduate already has three goals this season, and if he keeps playing the way he has been playing, then we can say that the lad will score a few more this season.
Phrangki had a couple of brilliant one-twos with Mahesh and Samuel and often crafted open the NEROCA FC defence.
Phrangi scored from an acute angle from a Naorem Mahesh through ball. Phrangi's goal today showed the amount of quality the young lad had, and if he is appropriately nurtured, he will be an asset for India in the future.
#2 Aibanha Dohling - The wall in Lajong's defence
Aibanha Dohling is a type of player one won't have any problems in identifying from the stands given his physique and unique hairstyle.
But, what has caught the eye more than his good looks and style is the way he has been playing this season.
Right from the first game of the season that Lajong played against Aizawl FC, Aibanha has been someone who has caught the eye to everyone.
He has unbeatable in the air and has a strong tackle which makes beating him a challenging task.
He is also one of the target men for Lajong during set pieces and finds himself in the right places during corners and free kicks.
He nearly scored today from a Samuel free-kick but saw his glancing header fisted away by Lalit Thapa.
Aibanha also has covered well for his colleagues in defence. Kenstar is suffering from a temporary dip in form and Aibanha has been brilliant in covering for his partner in the heart of the defence.
He kept Chidi quiet for most parts of the game, and the goal Chidi scored was due to Kenstar failing to mark him.
#1 NEROCA FC need to work on their game if they are to repeat last year's performance
NEROCA will be very happy to be leaving Shillong with all three points, but Manuel Fraile will know that he needs to work a lot more on his team if they are to come anywhere close to last years performance.
NEROCA won the game 2-1, but it could have easily been 4-2 in favour of the hosts had they not missed some excellent chances. Lalit Thapa also made some crucial saves or else the result of the game could have been very different.
The Oranga Army fans will thank the Gods that Lajong didn't score during the 64th to the 70th minute the five minutes when Lajong threw everything they had at NEROCA had a flurry of chances and corners.
Lajong's inexperience also had a part in ensuring that NEROCA FC won the game and someone like Manuel Fraile knows that his side won't get lucky every day of the season.
NEROCA didn't create that many chances and they were poor in finishing off the chances they created.
The midfield looked a bit disjointed and failed to play a swift brand of football. There was also a lack of communication between the midfield and defence which helped Lajong create a lot of chances.
NEROCA FC need to sort out these issues if they want to keep moving up in the league standings.
With Katsumi and Eduardo making a return to the team NEROCA will hope that the duo can help the team play a better brand of football.
