Lajong pip Pune City FC to march into Hero Super Cup Quarterfinals
Shillong Lajong redeemed their blow hot, blow cold season with a remarkable victory over Pune City FC in a five-goal thriller in the sixth Round of 16 match of the ongoing Hero Super Cup football tournament.
The young team from the hills of Meghalaya, showed remarkable composure and tactical finesses to come back from two goals down to triumph against Pune City FC, who had a great Hero Indian Super League Season (Hero ISL), placing fourth and reaching the playoffs for the first time. Shillong who finished sixth in the Hero I-League, now move on to play Kolkata giants and fellow I-Leaguers Mohun Bagan in the quarters.
At the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Pune’s Austrian coach Ranko Popovic lined the Stallions in a 4-5-1 formation with Brazilian talisman Marcelinho as the target man up front. Shillong gaffer Alison Kharsyntiew went for a 4-4-2 with Hero I-League Emerging Player of the Year and captain Samuela playing behind Ivorian sniper Abdoulaye Koffi.
The match started under heavy underfoot conditions and rain persisted throughout the duration of the match. The game got its first goal in the 17th minute of the first half itself when Shillong’s South Korean defender Juho Oh fouled Marcelinho outside the Shillong box. In the resultant Pune free kick, Italian Jonathan Lucca curled a wonderful right-footer into the Shillong goal, beating custodian Nidhin Lal all ends up.
Five minutes later, fellow Brazilian midfielder Diego, snatched a ball away from Shillong’s Novin Gurung inside his own half and unleashed a solo run to find Marcelinho in space outside the Shillong box. The Brazilian took one touch to position the ball and then curled a left-footer to bring up a classy finish.
Pune was up 2-0 and looking to run away with the game when in the 29th minute, Nigerian Odafin snatched a ball outside the Pune box and drilled a pass onto the path of Koffi. The Ivorian slotted home calmly past Pune keeper Vishal Kaith to bring Shillong back into the game as the half ended 2-1 despite some more enterprise displayed by Pune, mainly led by Marcelinho.
The second half began almost on identical lines of the first, with Pune beginning stronger and the first 15 mins producing two clear scoring chances for Diego and one for Manuel ‘Lolo’ Toribio for the Stallions. Two great saves from Nidhin Lal, however, kept Shillong in the game and this was going to be crucial at the end.
In the 61’ minute, Shillong equalised, quite against the run of play. The goal had two Shillong defenders involved in it. Novin forwarded a ball ahead which was collected in the middle of the Pune half by Sheen, both of whom who had a great game for Shillong on the day.
Sheen on the turn pushed ahead and found an overlapping Rakesh Pradhan with a through pass on the right of the Pune box. The young left back trapped and placed it calmly beyond Vishal Kaith onto the left corner- a clinical finish which would have done any striker proud.
The goal energised Shillong Lajong and they continued to pepper the Pune defence with runs down the middle by Samuela, Sheen and Redeem Talang, often finding Koffi and Rakesh Pradhan, who was brilliant with his overlaps throughout, in inviting spaces.
Popovic ringed in the changes bringing in Rohit Kumar for Isaac in the 66th minute and then Chesterpoul Lyngdoh for Ashique in the 74th. However, Pune’s frustration was beginning to show as Shillong was blocking everything to throw at them.
Then in the 90th minute, Samuela found Koffi inside the Pune box with a delectable chip and an onrushing Vishal Kaith made contact with Koffi to bring him down and referee Ramaswamy pointed to the spot. The captain drilled in a right-footer past Vishal to close out a remarkable victory.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Bengaluru FC’s focus on youth football is the reason behind our success in the RFDL: Coach Bibiano Fernandes
Mumbai, April 25: For the third season in a row, Bengaluru FC have qualified for the National Championship of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL). The Blues are two-time defending…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
I-League 2: Mumbai Derby turns into a Survival Race Between MH Oranje FC and Kenkre FC.
The final matchday of the I-League 2 is set for an intense showdown as MH Oranje FC takes on Kenkre FC in the Mumbai derby. The match, scheduled for 27th…
Chembur United – JFC ride on Pradnesh’s late stunner to beat Carmelites FC 1-0.
In a thrilling MFA 1st Div encounter between Chembur United (JupiterFC) and Carmelites FC, the game saw both teams create several scoring opportunities, but a late goal by Chembur United…
Mumbai City FC produce miraculous comeback to seize victory in semi-final clash against FC Goa
Goa, April 24: Mumbai City FC inspired a sensational late resurgence to come back from 2-0 down to win the first leg of their semi-final fixture against FC Goa by…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
AIFF Records Historic Rise in Women’s Footballers
~ President Kalyan Chaubey credits it to the introduction of ‘IWL-2’, – a second tier competition to professionalise women’s football ~ A ‘home-and-away’ format for top tier and availability of…
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…