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Shillong Lajong FC ended their 2013/14 I-League campaign on a bitter note as they went down 1-2 against Mohun Bagan AC at the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata.
It was the home side that got the first goal from the very first chance of the match. In the 5th minute of the game, Lajong FC defender Jibon Singh and Mohun Bagan midfielder Katsumi Yusa found themselves in an ugly tangle inside the box before Pritam Kotal took the ball off them and put in a chipped cross which was successfully converted by Pankaj Moula just outside the 6 yard box. The goal lifted the spirits of the Mariners who started the game without the experienced Odafe Okolie and Nigerian defender Echezona.
Shillong Lajong had to wait till the 33rd minute to create their first real chance of the match having held majority of the possession prior to that. Cornell Glen found himself one on one with the goalkeeper having beaten the Mariner’s offside trap but could not convert as he fired his shot wide. Lajong again should have scored in the 40th minute only for Tuboi to again squander the opportunity to put his team up in level terms before the break. As a result, the team from the North-East found themselves going into the break a goal behind, though having created clear-cut chances towards the end of the half.
The second half started in total contrast to the first half as Shillong Lajong FC created a lot of early chances. The best amongst them came as early as in the 49th minute when Subash Singh’s right footed volley, hit the crossbar. Thangboi Singto made a tactical switch in the 59th minute by bringing on Boithang Haokip in place of the unimpressive Niwan-o-Gatphoh. The change paid rich dividend within a few minutes as a beautiful lobbed pass by Taisuke over the Mohun Bagan defence found Boithang inside the box. Hoakip made no meals of it as he fired the ball into the roof of the net and put his side on level terms with his first touch after coming on. The match was very much in the balance with both teams vying for possession and creating plenty of attacking plays.
It was the hosts who found the net once again in the 74th minute after Chizoba ran past Jibon Singh and then fired his shot into the goal with Lajong custodian Lalthuammawia Ralte having no chance.
Shillong Lajong kept creating chances towards the end but their tactics went in vain as they couldn’t find the second goal to salvage a point for them. The match ended with much delight for Mohun Bagan AC who collected all three points.
Shillong Lajong FC has now ended their I-League campaign with 33 points from 23 games and will have to wait on the encounter between Dempo SC and Pune FC tomorrow to secure a 5th or 6th position in the I-League table.
