SHILLONG: The Defending Champions, Shillong Lajong FC successfully registered a win in their opening match of the Shillong Premier League. They won by a score line of 2-1 against Rangdajied United FC.
For today’s game, Lajong head coach Thangboi Singto started with goalkeeper, Neithovile, Nim Dorjee, Sandeep Singh, Joe Zoherliana, Pritam Kumar, Hardy Nongbri, Joseph Lalfakzuala, Redeem Tlang, Bipin Singh, Samuel Lalmuanpuia and Milan Basumatary.
On their first match of the new Gionee SPL season, Lajong youngsters were looking very sharp and confident on the field after kick off. There were a lot of positive vibes within the team and the players were seen displaying a good passing game. Their opponents for the day, another strong contender in the league, Rangdajied United FC, also had several good moments in the match. Both teams undoubtedly, displayed some quality football in front of the football loving spectators of Shillong.
Samuel Lalmuanpuia provided the first goal for Lajong. He scored from a free kick in the 17th minute. In the 34th minute of the game, Hardy Nongbri took a shot from 25 yards out but it went a few inches wide off the far right post.
The first half ended with Lajong leading 1-0 against Rangdajied.
As the second half started, Lajong were seen playing the ball more upfront as they were keen in scoring more goals. Their plan for the day seemed to be working pretty well as Redeem Tlang netted a long range shot, from 25 yards out in the 55th minute and Lajong were leading 2-0.
This added a lot of pressure on Rangdajied and the players were committing some silly mistakes to miss a few chances in front of goal. However, as the game crossed the one hour mark, the Rangdajied players started to build their game better and were combining very well with each other.
In the 66th minute, Rangdajied were awarded a free kick and their star player came very close in netting their first goal but his shot lacked accuracy and hit the bar instead.
Finally in the 72nd minute of the game, Khwetelhi Thopi, scored for Rangdajied and helped reduce the deficit.
As the game was approaching its final few minutes, Rangdajied was pressing hard to find the equaliser but the Lajong defence remained resolute till the end, to ensure they take three full points from their first game.
At full time the score line was 2-1 in favour of the Reds. They will play their next match against Royal Wahingdoh FC on the 26th August at the JN Stadium
