Shillong Lajong overcome East Bengal, avoid relegation, set up Fed Cup clash between themselves
THE NIGHT HAD an air of familiarity to it.
Last season, too, Shillong Lajong were in a similar position. Last season, too, they were fighting for survival. Last season, too, they were up against the mighty East Bengal.
Even that night, people had turned up in waves, walking down the slopes from Mawpun and the Buddhist Temple, forming a sea of red on the walkway next to the old bus stand.
That night, Shillong had showed up, to be with their club in their hour of need. And Shillong Lajong had responded with a 5-1 routing of the Kolkata-based club.
Tonight's win compared to last season wasn't that epic, in the face of it, but it served the same purpose. Shillong Lajong went up against one of the better teams in the league and earned a victory under immense pressure.
Aiding Lajong's cause last year was the presence of marquee striker Cornell Glen. This time they went in with a a forward line that had produced the least amount of goals in the entire league. East Bengal, on the other hand, had retained their best from last season and added to it. And it was the first game they were officially playing under Trevor James Morgan who was back at the club for a second tenure.
But the visitors, beginning the game amidst loud roars from the home fans, didn't seem to be playing in a cohesive manner. Mehtab Hossain got an early shot on target that was saved easily by Bhutia, but that was about it.
Fabio was causing tremors in the final third. He set up Samuel for a low finisher but the latter knocked into East Bengal goalie Rehenesh TP. He then got hold of a long ball and let fly but off target.
Nerves were at play and Kunzong Bhutia almost had a butter-finger moment when Lalrindika Ralte sent in a free kick that the Lajong keeper fumbled up. It was headed out for a corner by a defender. Then Ranti came close thanks to faulty marking but missed the target.
As Uilliams charged into the East Bengal box, Bello Razaq tackled him, sending him flying onto the turf. The Lajong players appealed for penalty and the 8,400-odd fans present in the arena joined in, but the referee thought otherwise.
Uilliams got the chance again when he cleverly avoided the offside trap and almost got hold of a through ball from Fabio but Rehenesh ran out to clear the ball.
The first half ended goalless, which wasn't bad for Lajong... but they were not feeling exactly safe either.
Eager to register a win on his first game back in charge, Morgan made some changes early on in the second half. U-22 Samad Ali Mallick made way for Sanju Pradhan and Sabeeth was replaced by Mohammed Rafique. By Shillong Lajong were knocking on their door.
Fabio had a great shot on target that Rehenesh somehow kept out. But when the Brazilian set up Isaac Vanmalsawma with a shrewd pass that the latter pulled the trigger on, Rehenesh was beaten by the deflection it took from Arnab Mondal. The ball was in the net, and the ever-lively sea of red burst into a storm.
Lajong made a couple of changes to speed up certain areas of the pitch and control the game to ensure victory. East Bengal were trying hard but did not seem to be creating chances. They got a free kick but even Do Dong-hyun's delivery did nothing for them.
In fact Lajong almost doubled their lead when when substitute Boithang Haokip almost mashed one in towards the end of the game but Rehenesh somehow managed to keep it out.
But that was all he could do. The match came to an end with Lajong claiming victory by a 1-0 margin. A significant result, since this also set up a Federation Cup quarter final clash between these very teams.
Lajong had done it again. The throngs of people who came into the game hoping to see their team stay in the top division had been justified. The club had not only survived relegation, but set up a Cup clash against a team they know they can beat.
All this only adds to the excitement of the next weekend, when Federation Cup kicks off, carrying forward the season right from where the I-League left it.
