Lajong Win Three In A Row At Home
SHILLONG: Unstoppable Shillong Lajong FC made it three home wins in a row beating Chennai City FC 2-0 at the JLN Stadium in Shillong today (January 31, 2017).
Dipanda Dicka started from where he left in the last match against Mumbai FC getting the hosts an early breakthrough in the 20th minute and following it up with another hit at the net in the sixty-fifth minute. There was no respite in sight for Chennai who were left doing the defending job for the most part as the hosts held firm to the proceedings.
That the Marcos Vinicius and Charles De Souza combination never got going for Chennai also augured well for the hosts who looked the fitter side of the two sides.
The victory takes Lajong to a pretty comfortable nine points from six matches while Chennai remain static at four points.
Buoyed by two wins on the trot at home against Minerva Punjab and Mumbai FC, Lajong started the proceedings on a dominant note looking to control the game from the outset. Singto’s combinations at the back and up front seemed to be thinking alike as Chennai were cramped for room. While Chinglensena and Nim Tamang were supported at the back by Yuta Kinowaki to hold the fortress strong, Issac pushed things from the midfield to feed the in form Dipanda.
The first real chance came Lajong’s way when Dipanda crossed one back to Redeem Tlang from far right only to see the local forward smash it for the goalie to enforce a rebound.
Five minutes later, following an excellent assist from Issac, Dipanda headed one into the nets from inside as the sizeable crowd at JN Stadium went into raptures.
In the 25th minute, Lajong had a shy at the nets twice but were unlucky on both occasions as the ball was somehow cleared in the melee.
Chennai did look like making a comeback towards the fag end of the first half but some solid defending kept them at bay at half time even as a couple of balls flew over the crossbar.
Crossing over, Marcos lost a decent opportunity to secure Chennai the equaliser when he lost control of the ball inside the box in the face of a diving Vishal Kaith.
Coach Robin Raja brought in Denton Devadas in place of Sena but Lajong seemed unperturbed.
Five minutes after the hour mark Dipanda virtually took the game away from the visitors by smashing one into the nets from close range after being fed inside by a free kick which was left uncleared.
Chennai efforts thereafter to stage a comeback bore no results as the hosts romped home to another victory. What was probably more relieved to Singto was the fact that his side could finally maintain a clean sheet.
Shillong Lajong 2 (Dipanda Dicka 20?, 65?) – 0 Chennai City FC
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
RFDL is the ultimate scouting platform – Thangboi Singto, Hyderabad FC Head Coach
Hyderabad FC head coach, Thangboi Singto, hailed the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as the premier scouting ground for budding football players in India. As the 2023-24 season’s National Championship…
A beautiful dream will come to an end on June 6, says Sunil Chhetri
BHUBANESWAR: The journey that began in 2006 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end in Kolkata on June 6, 2024, after an eventful 19…
Big brother, wonderful human being, the GOAT: Chhetri an inspiration to teammates
BHUBANESWAR: As the Indian senior men’s team gathered in the Kalinga Stadium gym for their session on Thursday morning, there was a hush in the room. Less than an hour ago,…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…