Internet Desk: Trevor Morgan’s East Bengal overcame what said to be their most uphill hurdle as the Red and Gold brigade beats Shillong Lajong by 2-1 away from home and that too without the service of their two most influential foreigners today. Newly signed Australian forward Chris Payne appeared to be the hero for the East Bengal side with an inspirational performance.
Kingfisher East Bengal started the game under tremendous pressure under two different reasons. The emphatic victory of Aizawl FC over Mumbai FC earlier today saw the Highlanders go on top of the points table again before facing Shillong Lajong in the afternoon. The absence of Wedson Anselme and Willis Plaza had put immense pressure on the East Bengal gaffer, as the track record of the British coach against Thangboi Singto’s side wasn’t good at all before this game.
It was the brilliance of East Bengal’s newly signed Australian forward Chris Payne, who was pricked by so much criticisms before the game, made all the difference in the all important game in this Hero I-League. The Australian scored two brilliant individual goals and led the attack of his side by an example to compensate the absence of the two in-form Red and Gold attackers Wedson and Plaza.
Trevor Morgan’s team got the opening goal as early as in the 8th minute when Nikhil Poojary delivered a great cross from the left and Lajong custodian Vishal Kaith failed to grab the floater cleanly; Robin Singh grabbed the opportunity and passed the ball towards onrushing Chris Payne, who scored an excellent goal, leaving the goalkeeper a mere spectator.
Lajong started playing some outstanding football after that and created chances after chances in the first half to equalize, but the East Bengal defense stood firm and didn’t allow the hosts to score from those.
In the 31st minute, against the run of play, Chris Payne scored another magnificent goal from a classic volley from the top of the box and gave East Bengal a 2-0 lead in the game.
East Bengal could easily score their third goal and as Chris Payne missed a hat-trick opportunity when Robin found Payne in a fine area, but the Australian despite doing all the hard work, shot just wide in the 49th minute.
Lajong came back into the game in the 64th minute when Samuel Shadap found Dipanda in a great position and the Cameroonian made no mistake to score his 9th goal of the competition to reduce the margin.
The win gives East Bengal the vigorous hopes to clinch their maiden Hero I-League title as they once again go on top of the points table by replacing Aizawl FC with 27 points from 12 games.