EMN
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 26
IT was yet again another unlucky outing for Rangdajied United, this time the juniors, as they went down 2-3 to city rivals, Shillong Lajong in the I-League U-19 encounter at the Polo Ground on Wednesday.
Lajong snatched victory from the jaw of defeat after scoring twice in the last 5 minutes to register their 3rd consecutive victory from as many matches to top the I-League U-19 NE zone.
Cautious about their 1st leg defeat to Lajong, Rangdajied started slow and preferred to play the waiting game in contrast to The Reds high pressing game. They were content with their counter attacks till Lajong broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, when Zodingliana drove home a Rupert Nongrum pass.
The goal saw the Junior Blues coming all out in search for the equaliser but in vain as the match went into the break with the Red’s having the edge. Changing ends, it was Lajong who started the brighter of the two but Rangdajied made the difference. The Blues were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute which Gamelieh Kharlyngdoh converted it to equalise the proceeding.
Lajong came back strong after that, hitting the crossbar and the post on two different attacks in a span of two minutes. But the score-line remain unchanged and making the change again was Rangdajied, when they scored in the 72nd minutes. Mebanshan Suting capitalised on a defensive lapse to give ‘The Blues’ a lead.
With around 20 minutes of play left, Lajong, who were desperately seeking the equaliser made an effective change – bringing in Ksankupar in place of Nabin. And it was Ksankupar whose brilliance brought back Lajong in the game when she scored the equaliser in the 85th minute.
Just as when it looked the match was heading for a draw, the inevitable happened, when Lajong’s junior star, Redeem Tlang, scored the 5th goal of the match in the 89th minute in what turned out to be the winner, helping Lajong registered another three points.
The lost held back Rangdajied United to the 3rd spot in the North East Zone ladder, having garnered just a point from 3 outings so far. The single point came of the goalless draw against Green Valley FC.
Lajong meanwhile have maintained their cent percent win record, topping the group with 9 points. Royal Wahingdoh follow them with 6 points and Green Valley are rooted at the bottom of the table.
