EMN
Dimapur, December 14
The Flaming Orange registered a sensational home win after a 5-1 victory over Shillong Lajong FC in what was a thrilling encounter at the Duler Stadium Goa on Saturday.It was the visitors who started the first half brightly; having more ball possession and creating many chances. Keeping the momentum up, their efforts were rewarded when Japanese recruit Taiuske Matsugae drew first blood with a superb strike beating two defenders and slotted the ball home in the 14th minute.
The Flaming Organe immediately responded by pressing forward for the equaliser and almost managed to cancel Lajong’s lead in the 20th minute but Kalu’s bicycle kick that went at the back of the net was not counted as the referee ruled it offside.
It was only in the 26th minute that the home team drew level when a cross by Borges found Kalu, who made no mistake in heading the ball into the back of the net beating Lajong custodian Lalthuanmawia Ralte.
The visitors lead however, was short-lived when Kalu equalised for the home team in the 26th Minute.
From then on, it was Sporting who dominated the rest of the first half. A big chance for the home team came in the 30th minute when Kalu had an easy chance in front of goal but his shot went straight to the Lajong keeper and hence the first half ended all square.
In the second half, the men in Orange seemed more eager to go in front as they were controlling play by having more possession and posed a major threat to the Lajong defence.
Their hard work was rewarded when Ogba Kalu scored a goal in the 58th minute via Arturo Garcia’s low free kick giving the home team a 2 – 1 lead in the hour mark. Most of the second half was played in Lajong’s half as Sporting continued to pile the pressure with numerous chances. In the 64th minute, Boima Karpeh made a solo run on the left flank dribbling past Lajong defenders and successfully put the ball behind Mawia giving Sporting a two goal cushion over their opponents.
Just two minutes later, Kalu completed his hat trick via a header from a corner kick. Lajong had a mountain to climb as the odds were against them trailing 4-1 with just 25 minutes of the game remaining.
Luck was definitely on Oscor Bruzon’s side as they displayed a stunning performance and Victorino Fernandes also registered his name on the scoresheet in extra time as he was left one on one with the keeper. He skilfully dribbled past the keeper and slotted the ball in the net as Samuel and Wailad failed to block the ball.
Lajong stay fourth in the I-league table with 20 points and they will play host to Dempo SC on 21st December whilst Sporting Club de Goa are in the second position and will play host to United Sports Club on the same day.
Confident Rangdajied Utd look for back-to-back victory
EMN
Dimapur, December 14
Though little late, Rangdajied United FC seems to have set the ball rolling and they are in no mood to let it loose once again. High on confidence like never before, the Shillong side will look to cause more upset when they host Mumbai FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday. With two victories in three matches coming their way and having scored as many as ten goals in the last six matches, Rangdajied have improved leaps and bounds. The recent success can be definitely attributed to the newly industed players like Gouramangi Singh, Subrata Paul, Tomba Singh and others but what had stayed the key for Rangdajied, right from the very beginning, is their undying fighting spirit.
The two goals scored in the last minute of the extra time against Pune FC is a testament to the above statement.
However, with Mumbai FC, the match will be a different ball game all together. The Mumbai side are also one of the few sides in the league, whose recent performances have grabbed eyeballs. They have been unbeaten in their last four games, pocketing as many as 8 points. And the fact that Khalid Jamil side have registered their two recent wins against big boys, East Bengal and Pune FC, testify the strength in their squad. Adding to it, they have held Mohun Bagan 1-1 just before travelling to Shillong.
But what will play in the mind of both the teams is their 1-1 draw in the first leg they had played in Pune. Manandeep got the lead for the Shillong side just to be cancelled out by Ashutosh to split the points.
Now that the leg is back in Shillong, Rangdajied will not like to settle for anything lesser than 3 points. Coach Santosh Kashyap exuded confidence in the pre-match press conference, saying that they will go for the win, but gave a due respect to the opponents. "The team is in good shape and all the foreigners are fit and the best part, they are raring to go. But Mumbai FC is also a good team and they are in good form. So it will be a tough match again, but I am confident. Mumbai FC meanwhile have Anwar Ali suffering from hamstring injury.
Like in the previous match, the former ONGC coach is once again facing the problem of plenty. All the players are available for selection but the main question was if David Ngaihte would be starting against Mumbai FC.
Santosh replied, "Honestly, I haven't take the call yet. Munmun is also playing well and I will have to sit down and talk with my staffs to figure out the 18 member squad and then the first XI. The match is set for a 5:00 PM kick-off, tickets for which are available across the city and in the stadium counters.
