HERO I-LEAGUE: Ralte tricks as East Bengal slam five past Lajong

by FC Admin February 14, 2019

Kolkata, February 14, 2019: Quess East Bengal (QEB) beat Shillong Lajong 5-0 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Thursday to get their fourth victory on the trot.

Laldanmawia’s hat-trick and a goal apiece from Jobby Justin and Enrique Esqueda made all the difference for the Red and Gold outfit.

The win keeps QEB on track for a first-ever Hero I-League title triumph, pushing them up to third on the points table, just one behind second-placed Real Kashmir and three shy of leaders Chennai City FC. QEB has played one game less than the mentioned teams.

Shillong recorded their 12th defeat in 16 games and has conceded 44 goals to remain at the bottom of the league.

Relegation looms for them now!

QEB displayed a master class and it sent warning signs to their closest rivals. Each of their five goals was wonderfully constructed — the result of the efforts put in training. They have been ably led by Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia.

QEB and Shillong went into the game with relatively conservative formations keeping in mind their respective attacking prowess.

Garcia who is making a reputation as one of the shrewdest brains to have operated in domestic football benched Kamalpreet for a more traditional left wing-back in Manoj Mohammad. He clearly left the attacking line open, starting a fit-again Esqueda to partner Jobby Justin with a four-man midfield behind them.

Shillong gaffer Allison Kharsyntiew fielded an unchanged side from their win against Churchill Brothers. He played a 4-5-1.

QEB was on fire from the start and it was clear that Garcia had instructed them to sew up the game as early as possible given Shillong’s attacking prowess. QEB as per statistics had 67% possession!

After Justin hashed a free header in the 4th minute off a Danmawia cross, the Mizo winger decided to take things into his own hands four minutes later. Following Lalrindika ‘Didika’ Ralte’s delivery from a corner, he rose to head the ball home from close range. Garcia’s strategy had worked!

Shillong got two chances in two minutes. The first was a free-kick by Samuel Lyngdoh which sailed over. The second came a minute later as a QEB defensive lapse allowed Buam to go clear inside the box only for his first touch to let him down.

Shillong had only a few of such moments as the Red & Golds took over. Danmawia Ralte, in the 27th minute, was set up by centre back Borja Gomez, who displayed great vision in playing a long ball from just outside the QEB box.

Ralte made a perfectly-timed run and brought the ball down with an exquisite first touch. He saw goalkeeper Purbha Lachempa out of his line and unleashed a left-footed curler on the second touch to put the ball into the Shillong net for the second time in the game.  It happened so quickly that it left the home fans in awe!

There was more from QEB. A minute later, a ball from Tony Dovale found Esqueda and the Mexican lobbed over an onrushing Lachempa into the centre of the box.  Jobby Justin rose above two Shillong defenders to nod home for his ninth goal of the league campaign.

Esqueda also got on the scoresheet at the end of the first half thanks to superb skills and judgment.

Didika once again delivered from the right as he directed a ball at the Mexican who tapped in a volley past a stunned Lachempa. QEB was 4-0 ahead with half the game still left to play!

There was no respite for Shillong as Danmawia sealed his hat-trick in the 61st minute thanks to a brilliant team effort by QEB.

Kassim Aidara, who had a great game in central midfield, found substitute Jamie Colado on the right flank. The young Spaniard turned his marker in and drove towards goal, cutting in for Justin who had made a run on his inside.

The Keralite striker showed selflessness and vision for the second time in the game, stepping over for Danmawia further inside and in the clear. The Mizo had a weak first touch but recovered in time to slot the ball home.

The game was done and dusted and such was QEB’s dominance that Shillong could not muster a single corner kick in the game.

Also Read: Myanmar coach hails ‘lucky’ win against India

Also Read: DERRICK PEREIRA TO COACH INDIA IN AFC U-23 QUALIFIERS