I-League: Shillong Lajong FC play out 1-1 draw with United SC

Shillong Lajong FC ended their two match losing streak after they shared the spoils with United SC in the 5th Round of the I-League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong after the game ended 1-1. Goals came from Eric Brown for United SC and Cornell Glen for Shillong Lajong.

The first half ended goalless after both teams struggled to link-up play with the forward lines even though Shillong Lajong had more of the possession. Lajong started strong with a 4th minute free-kick that was put wide by Boithang. They had most of the ball in the first half and had a few chances in front of goal. United SC looked sloppy without their coach Eelco Schattorie in the dugout. Ranti Martins Soleye squandered a chance in the 33th minute after Wailad Passah missed to time a back pass to goalkeeper Vinay Singh, while Eric Brown looked the only threat for the visitors.

The game got better in the second half after consecutive chances from both sides. It took United SC just three minutes after the re-start to put them infront. It was in the 48th minute when ‘Man of the Match’ Eric Brown saw his shot go through the hands of Lajong custodian Vinay Singh into the back of the net. The home side then responded almost immediately in the 51st minute to put them back on level terms as Glen headed the ball into the net after a smart set piece from a trademark Tuboi long throw.Both sides made a couple of changes with Thangboi Sinto brining on Subash Singh for Glen in the 70th minute, Samuel Shadap for Robin Gurung in the 76th minute and Milan Singh for Lalramluaha 89th minute.

The visitors on the other hand brought on Baldeep Singh for Jayanta Sen in the 62nd minute, Snehasish Chakraborty for Souvik Chakraborty in the 72nd minute and made their last substitution in the 86th minute with Biswajit Biswas coming in for C.K. Vineeth.

The Kolkata side found their pace in the closing stages of the game after waves of attacks and Lajong responded well to counter the opposition with good attacking play.

The Reds, found the back of the net again after Tuboi flipped it over goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee but the assistant referee had his flag-up. That was to be the last important attacking play as the game ended all square.

With this draw Lajong FC now have five points from five games and United SC have eight points from five games.