Internet Desk: East bengal failed to break the Lajong jinx in the Federation Cup too as the nightmare of lajong continues for the Red and Golds in the Federation Cup too. This time they were thumped by the highlanders 2-1 but an away goal advantage is the only relief for East Bengal before the second leg at Barasat on 4th may.
Lajong’s Konsham Chinglensana Singh (33′) opened the scoring as Dong Hyun-Do (44′) equalised right before half-time. Fabio Pena (62′) hit the winning goal and Robin Gurung was sent off in the 87th minute.
Robin Gurung stabbed Abinash Ruidas which caused a serious injury to the U-22 player of East Bengal in his nose and face and he had to taken to the hospital immediately from the ground.
Trevor Morgan made a couple of changes in the defensive line bringing in experienced Deepak Mondal and Indian international Narayan Das but it could not change the fortunes for the Red and Golds as Lajong’s Fabio Pena and Penn Orji kept on putting pressure on the duo of Arnab Mondal and Bello Rasaq.
In the 33rd minute, Konsham Chinglensana Singh opened the scoring for the Reds through a corner which was taken by Bipin. Konsham headed the rebound ball and gave Lajong a 1-0 lead in the match.
East Bengal got desperate for a equaliser and piled pressure on the defense of Lajong. But the young defenders from Lajong looked steady.
It was against the run of play, in the 44th minute when Ranti Martins caught a long ball forward just before it got over the line and flicked it over his own head for a charging Do-Dong-hyun who headed the ball past goalkeeper Vishal for the equaliser.
Trevor Morgan made two immediate changes in the 60th minute bringing the duo of Abinash Ruidas and Sanju Pradhan in place of goal scorer Dong and off-colored Shylo Malswamtlunga to inject more energy on the flanks.
East Bengal missed a few golden opportunities when they were awarded free-kicks on the edge of the box. Ranti Martins too looked out of the box today as he could not bring himself out from his markers.
It was in the 62nd minute, Lajong got the winning goal from Fabio Pena. Issac on the left, kept the ball in, as passing continued between him and Bipin. The ball rebounded favorably to find Fabio at goal mouth. Fabio turned around to slide the ball into the nets with ease.
There were no further scares for the home team as the match ended with the score line at 2-1 in favour of Shillong Lajong. The Red and Gold though managed to net one away goal that might prove crucial in the away fixture. The win gives the home side much of the added advantage going into the second leg which is to be played on 4th May, 2016 in Kolkata.