I-League: Shillong Lajong FC beat former champions Dempo SC 2-1

Shillong Lajong FC pull out a brilliant display again at home, beating Dempo SC by a 2-1 scoreline in a round 16 I-League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Saturday evening.

Lajong FC are now on a seven home game unbeaten streak after a Milan Singh penalty and a Boithang Haokip free-kick was good enough to grab the win for the hosts, while Jeje Lalpekhlua had equalised in-between. The match started with possession football from both sides as the teams struggled to find their pace in chilly winter conditions.

Taisuke Matsugae almost gave his side the lead in the 22nd minute when his header from a corner seared over the bar. The Dempo back-line was put to the test again in the 37th minute when Taisuke made another good run in the box only for the ball to be handled by the opposition defender. Referee Ajit Datta awarded The Reds a penalty which was clinically converted by Ongnam Milan Singh in the 39th minute. Shillong Lajong held on to the lead until half-time whistle.

With a 1-0 lead in their back, Lajong FC started the second half with one chance after another. Dempo custodian Laxmikant Kattimani was kept busy throughout the second half as he made a lot of saves to deny Lajong their second. It was however the Goan side that found the equaliser in the 56th minute after Jeje Lalpekhlua made a good run past the Lajong back-line and put one past Shillong Lajong keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte. The game remained even for only a short while as Lajong got back in the lead in the 60th minute. A free-kick from Boithang Haokip missed all heads in the box and went pass the hands of Dempo’s Kattimani as well and into the net. The goal sent Lajong FC into an attacking frenzy as they look to score more.

Dempo found a bit of their spark in the latter stages of the second half as they created some chances but all their efforts went in vain as the final whistle went in Lajong FC’s favour.

With this win Shillong Lajong FC have beaten Dempo SC on both occasions this season, beating them by an even more impressive scoreline of 3-0 in Goa in the I-League first-leg. Today’s win keeps Lajong FC in fourth position with 23 points from 15 games whereas Dempo SC stay in ninth position with 16 points from 15 games.