Fixture Flashback: Shillong Lajong 1-2 Mumbai FC – 30th March 2014

by Kaushal Shukla January 10, 2016

Mumbai FC make the long trip to Shillong to face Shllong Lajong in the opening game of the 2016 I-League season. The Yellow Submarines’ trips to the Meghalaya Capital haven’t been the most pleasant ones with three defeats, a draw and one win in the five games played in the Shillong Lajong backyard.

A much improved Mumbai FC will start as slight favorites against Shillong Lajong later today, looking at the quality in their ranks. So just as we build-up to the big kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, we take a look back at Mumbai FC’s lone win in chilly Shillong, when Khalid Jamil’s side came from a goal down to beat Lajong 2-1.

Shillong Lajong came into the game against Mumbai FC on 30^th March 2014, on the back of a mini revival since Thangboi Singto took charge of the side as interim manager. But Mumbai FC were always going to be hard to beat having earned the reputation of a ‘draw specialist’ that season.

Mumbai FC though were rocked early when Cornell Glenn fired Shillong Lajong into a 19^th minute lead. Having gone behind, and playing in the hostile Shillong conditions, a comeback seemed unlikely. But Khalid Jamil’s side gained a bit of momentum as the first half was drew to a close. Shillong Lajong showed signs of cracking as a frustrated Cornell Glenn wasbooked a minute before the interval.

However, Mumbai FC resorted parity in the first minute of first half stoppage time with a goal from Alfred Jaryan. The goal right on the stroke of half time completely changed the complexion of the game and Mumbai FC went into the break feeling much better about themselves.

The men in yellow took off from where they had left in the first half and seized the control of the game right from the outset in the second period. Mumbai FC were rewarded in the 50^th minute when Ashutiosh Mehta scored to complete a quick comeback and put Mumbai FC in the lead on enemy territory.

Mumbai FC who were masters of holding the game, defended astutely to eke out a 2-1 win in Shillong, a first ever for the club in the north-east of the country.

Khalid Jamil’s side will be looking to gain inspiration from this win against Lajongjust under two years ago, as they seek to get the much anticipated I-League season underway with a vital win under their belt.