SHILLONG LAJONG ENDED their Durand Cup 2023 campaign with a somewhat shaky win over local club Downtown Heroes FC.
Their first two matches ended in heavy defeats, conceding 10 goals in the process. This time, the newly promoted I-League club was expected to produce a positive result, but even here they complicated things for themselves with an early own goal by Nongspung.
Lajong rallied themselves to counter the deficit and Ronney emerged as their spearhead striker. He scored once in each half to get them 2-1 ahead.
Lajong, who were seen as one of the best emerging clubs in India a decade ago, went through relegation and were absent from national level competitions for a few years. They have made a comeback and earned a place in the second tier league. But taking on top flight clubs in Durand Cup has been a learning experience for their young squad and management as to how far they still have to go.