2 out of 2: Shillong Lajong cause another upset in Federation Cup by beating East Bengal... again

GOALS FROM Konsham Singh and Fabio Pena were enough to help Shillong Lajong pull off their second home win against East Bengal in less than a week, and orchestrate the second big upset result in the Federation Cup in 2 days.

Trevor James Morgan's East Bengal, who played Lajong at this very ground just a few days ago on the last day of I-League, came into this game without Bernard Mendy, who was out with an injury. Thangboi Singto, the Shillong Lajong coach, also had a surprise in the starting line-up: he left Brazilian forward Uilliams on the bench. 

Chances were forthcoming for Shillong Lajong from early on as East Bengal's back four appeared to be struggling to gel even now, at the fag end of the season. Fabio got a header but missed the mark, then Isaac got the ball in scoring range but sent it too high. Penn Orji was lingering as a threat in the midfield, supplying balls aplenty.

East Bengal seemed to be playing a game of patience waiting for their chances, but when they finally came they weren't that convincing. In a terrible defence lap, Lajong allowed Mehtab Hossain through with the ball almost unguarded. But the veteran attacking medio messed up the finish. And the Red and Golds soon paid for that mistake, with Bipin Singh curling in a corner that Konsham Singh headed in with perfection. 1-0 to Lajong.

But the visitors did not let that rest for long. Minutes later a high and long ball flew straight into the Lajong box, that Ranti Martins leaped acrobatically at to set it up for Do Dong-hyun who was running in from behind. The attacking medio headed it into the net, and it was 1-1; East Bengal had drawn level and picked up a crucial away goal.

The second half saw the game get edgier as both teams  came all out with an intention to win this game. Penn Orji was about to make a dangerous thrust forward so Shylo Mama fouled him and took a yellow. Lajong got a free kick that Issac Vanmalsawma kept on target but keeper Rehenesh TP managed to save it. Ranti Martins replied by running up the right flank and sending in a high cross that went out for a goal kick. 

At this juncture East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan made a double substitution, just at the hour mark. The yellow-carded Mama was taken off and Sanju Pradhan was introduced. The other change was a bit puzling: goal-scorer Do Dong-hyun got replaced by young medio Abinash Ruidas. Probably an attempt to increase speed and impact in the game, but before the newcomers could settled in, it happened.

Issac and Bipin moved up, passing between themselves. They got into the East Bengal box and the ball came to Fabio, who was just waiting at the goalmouth to slot it right in. The 9000-odd spectators present at the JN Stadium exploded in joy. Lajong now had a lead, 2-1.

There was still a good half hour left in the game and East Bengal began a frantic search for a second equalizer. Ranti Martins almost got through but Konsham Singh fouled him just outside the box and got booked for it. The free kick, from scoring range, was sent wayward by Lalrindika Ralte.

Then a little later Abinash Ruidas made a threatening run and Robin Gurung dealt with it by elbowing him hard. The referee punushed him with a red card. Down to 10 men and minutes left in the game, Lajong coach Thangboi Singto immediately fortified the defence by subbing in Samuel Shadap and Rupert Nongrum in a holding role. Even Uilliams had a cameo, coming on in the last few minutes in a substitution mostly meant to eat up the seconds.

And it worked. Shillong Lajong at their own backyard had once again proved to be too strong for a heavyweight club. They won the match 2-1, to secure a thin advantage over East Bengal going into the away leg of this knockout quarter-final fixuture. 

It's not that East Bengal are out of it. The away goal rule applies in the Federation Cup, which means a 1-0 win at Barasat on Sunday will be enough to send them through to the semis. But losing to Lajong twice within a week, and the continuation of Trevor James Morgan's winless run against the Meghalaya club, is sure to be a major worry for the Red and Golds as they attempt to re-group and start anew, this time in a do-or-die battle to save their Fed Cup campaign from the embarrassment of a first round exit.