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The final week of the I-League continued as a crucial encounter took place in Meghalaya where Shillong Lajong hosted title contenders East Bengal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The home side began in the sixth spot in the standings with a total of 21 points from seventeen matches of the season. The visitors from Kolkata started in the fourth spot with 29 points from sixteen matches and had a chance to go atop the standings and boost their title chances.
The two sides played out an eventful 2-2 draw as Shillong Lajong recovered after a first-half goal by Dudu to take a 2-1 lead in the match after Samuel's exploits. Dudu scored again in the 88th minute to level things up in the match. East Bengal still have a chance of winning the I-league but will have to hope for a favourable result from Minerva Punjab's match.
Shillong Lajong FC
Nidhin Lal (7/10) - The Shillong Lajong keeper was kept busy by the away attack and produced a lot of crucial saves in the match and was beaten twice by Dudu from close range. He was awarded the Hero of the Match for his performance between the sticks.
Rakesh Pradhan (6.5/10) - The left-back for the home side was incredibly active on the flank and made a lot of overlapping runs combining well with the attackers.
Oh Joo Ho (6.5/10) - The Korean central defender was up against the threat of Dudu and was busy throughout the match marking the dangerous striker.
Aibanbha Dohling (6.5/10) - The defender was an active presence both in the attack and defence for Lajong as he put in an industrious shift in the middle. He got the first goal for Lajong when he glanced a header from a cross put in by Samuel into the box.
Novin Gurung (6/10) - The winger had a quiet day from his usual standards as he helped out the defence whenever East Bengal attacked. He had a couple of attacking runs as well into the opponent box.
Kenstar Kharshong (6/10) - The young right-back played on the flank for the Lajong side as he moved up and down the wings helping out in both attack and defence.
Odafin Daniel (6.5/10) - The Nigerian midfielder played the defensive cover for the Lajong defence and was strong in his tackles. He had a few long-range efforts on the goal exhibiting his threatening potential for the Meghalaya side.
Redeem Tlang (6/10) - The midfielder played in the central midfield and combined well with Samuel and the attackers to create good chances. He made good runs into the box from the centre and had a couple of efforts on the goal.
Samuel Lalmuanpuia (8/10) - The young midfielder played just behind the attackers and did well to thread in good passes for the strikers. He was the go-to man for freekicks and corners for the home side. He created the goal for Shillong when a freekick into the box was glanced into the net.
Abdoulaye Koffi (6.5/10) - The Ivorian striker played as the target man up front for Lajong as he moved around the box making good runs. He had a lot of efforts on the goal but could not get his name on the scoresheet.
Saihou Jagne (6.5/10) - The Swedish attacker played alongside Koffi in attack as he threatened the East Bengal defence with his physicality and movement.
Substitutes:
Sheen Stevenson Sohktung (3.5/10) - The striker came on to replace Jagne in the final minutes of the match as Lajong made their first change late into the match.
Kingfisher East Bengal
Ubaid CK (5/10) - The East Bengal keeper had a contrasting game of halves as after having a quiet first half, he conceded two goals in the second half that included a penalty from Samuel.
Mehtab Singh (6/10) - The right-back for the away side was a busy man on the flank as he had to run up and down the flank throughout the match helping out the attack with his overlapping runs and crossing into the box. He conceded the penalty in the second half when he brought down Samuel inside the box that led to the second goal by Lajong.
Gurwinder Singh (5.5/10) - The tough-tackling Gurwinder marshalled the East Bengal defence from the back and did well with his interceptions and blocks.
Salam Singh (6/10) - The former Bengaluru FC man formed the central defensive pair for the Red and Golds and used his height and physicality well to keep the Shillong attackers in check.
Lalramchullova (6.5/10) - The left-back was active in attack for the away side and provided the assist for the first goal when his cross was headed into the net by Dudu. He was always an option for the midfielders on the wings and was stable defensively as well.
Mahmoud Al Amnah (5.5/10) - The Syrian midfielder played behind the attacking duo and regulated the attacking moves for the away side. He had a couple of efforts on the Lajong goal but was unsuccessful in scoring.
Calvin Lobo (6/10) - The skipper and East Bengal veteran played as the defensive midfielder today and did well to move the ball around. His famed left foot was always an attacking option for the Bengal side as he tested the Lajong keeper from distance.
Katsumi Yusa (6/10) - The Japanese playmaker of the East Bengal side played centrally today as he controlled the tempo of the side from the midfield. He had a subdued evening compared to his usual standards as he wasn't able to stamp his authority on the game like he generally does.
Ansumana Kromah (7/10) - The former Mohun Bagan played just behind Dudu in attack and moved all across the midfield providing support. He primarily played on the left side as he cut inside from the flank to put in crosses as well as take shots on the Lajong goal. His cross-shot led to the second East Bengal goal when Dudu headed in past Nidhin Lal from close range.
Dudu Omagbemi (8/10) - The Nigerian forward was on target in the first half as he headed the ball in from a cross put inside the box by Lalramchullova. He was a constant threat to the Lajong defence with his threatening presence inside the box. He got the second goal in the match equalizing for the Red and Golds when he headed Kromah's shot into the goal.
Brandon Vanlalremdika (5.5/10) - The former Aizawl FC man played on the wings for the visitors and made good runs into the box as he utilized his pace well. He was substituted in the second half when Joby Justin came on to replace him.
Substitutes:
Joby Justin (4/10) - The striker came on in the second half to replace Brandon Vanlalremdika as East Bengal pushed on for the goal
Samad Mallick (4/10) - The youngster came on to replace Mehtab Singh and slotted in at the right side of the midfield as Khalid Jamil introduced fresh blood in the attack in search of goals.
Gabriel Fernandes (4/10) - The Goan midfielder came on in the final ten minutes replacing Lobo as East Bengal went all out for the equalizing goal.
