Shillong Lajong held to a 0-0 draw in I-League campaign opener against Mumbai FC

HOSTS SHILLONG LAJONG were held to a goalless draw by Mumbai FC in their opening match of the I-League football tournament here on Sunday.

The home side enjoyed better of the exchanges but failed to capitalise on the ascendancy at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday. Shillong's Nigerian midfielder Penn Orji could have put the hosts in front in the very first minute of the match but his shot went wide.

The away side responded through Eric Brown in the ninth minute but he dragged effort wide of target. Brazilian striker Uilliams Bomfin then got a great chance to break the deadlock in the 22nd minute. But his angled effort cut across the face of the goal and narrowly missed the mark.

Shillong continued to have chances but were wasteful. Brazilian midfielder Fabio sent his left-footer wide after the ball fell kindly from him after a scramble in the box following a throw-in. 

The second half began in similar fashion with Shillong enjoying possessional advantage and enjoying sighters at goal.

Fabio was in the thick of things with an accurate header that tested goalkeeper Pawan Kumar. Uilliams then blazed over his free-kick from close range in the 76th minute that summed up the home team's frustrations completely.

Lajong, meanwhile, had as many as eight corners but could not make use of any. Uilliams’ lack of form with corner kicks is something that would worry Thangboi Singto in the games to come.

While Lajong will take on Bengaluru FC in their next game on January 24th, Mumbai will play East Bengal in their next tie.