Naorem Mahesh Singh helped Shillong Lajong secure a 2-1 victory in its North East derby against Aizawl FC.
At Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, in front of a near full-house of adoring and noisy fans, Mahesh scored two brilliant goals in either half to clinch all three points for his side. Aizawl’s Liberian striker Ansumanah Kromah got one back for the visitor but it was not enough.
The young Lajong side, which overcame hurdles like the decision not to field any foreigners this season and playing as many as nine Under-22 players in the starting eleven, ensured fans had enough to rejoice once the full-time whistle was sounded.
Allison Kharsentiew, the Lajong gaffer, started with captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia, who was expected to lead attacks from the midfield, with exciting wingers Mahesh and Samuel Lyngdoh for company. Rakesh Pradhan and Kenstar Kharshong were at the heart of deep defence with Aibanbha Dohling and Novin given the overlap roles. Neithovilie Chalieu started in the Lajong goal.
Aizawl coach Gift Raikhan had a more settled and predictable look to his starting eleven, with Ivorian Dodoz and Liberian Ansumanah Kromah up in attack and captain Alfred Jaryan, also of Liberian descent, leading midfield. Nigerian Kareem Nurain was leading the Aizawl backline while Gurpreet Singh was in goal.
High tempo
Expectedly, given the fitness levels and youth in both sides, the game began on a high tempo and continued as such till the very end. Creditable, particularly from a Shillong perspective given the age of the side.
The first chance fell to the visitors as early as in the fifth minute, when Kromah intercepted a defensive blooper deep inside the Lajong half, but failed to capitalise on it. From the resultant corner, the ball swooped down favourably for Aizawl defender Valpuia who was unmarked, but his header was off-target.
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In the 15th minute, Aibanbha Dohling brought down Kromah just outside the box in a dangerous position and earned the game’s first booking from referee Tanmoy Dhar.
Then, the talented right winger Mahesh Singh, who had an excellent first half, turned the game on its head with a sensational strike in the 20th minute that elated the home fans who were vociferous in their support throughout the game. Novin Gurung latched on to a long ball from the Lajong defense outside the Aizawl box and passed to Mahesh on the right flank. Mahesh side-stepped one defender and cut in, before unleashing a scorching curler of a left-footer that beat Aizawl keeper Gurpreet all ends up and settled into the top right corner of the Aizawl goal.
Another left-footed long ranger by Mahesh in the 27th minute was collected comfortably by Gurpreet as even though Aizawl was beginning to ascertain more control over the game, the host went into the lemon break, with its lead secure.
After the break, Jaryan missed a sitter in the 50th minute, when a cross from the left wing found him unmarked in the middle of the top of the goalkeeper’s area, but his volley missed the mark.
Perfect timing
In the 51st minute, after a wonderful interchange of passes inside the Aizawl half, Lajong defender Rakesh Pradhan received a ball on the overlap on the left flank. His wonderful cross took out the Aizawl defence completely. Mahesh was following everything including the ball and met the ball with perfect timing to lob it over Gurpreet in the Aizawl goal to double the lead.
Aizawl finally got one back when a wonderful 1-2 between Paul and Remsanga outside the Shillong box, released Kromah in the clear. He side-stepped the goalkeeper and was about to pull the trigger into an empty goal when Neitho clipped his feet to bring him down and referee Dhar had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Kromah converted calmly.
Costly miss
Then substitute Isak had a golden chance to equalise in the 73rd minute, but his shot from the right side and from inside the box went wide with just the goalkeeper to beat. Aizawl kept pressing and even in the seconds before the final whistle the visitor had two clear chances at goal but it was not its day.
For Shillong, Aiban had a brilliant game in defence and was responsible in thwarting many a threat. Hero of the Match Mahesh Singh got a deserving break in the 82nd minute; he was replaced by Sheen Sohktung and he went out to warm applause.
After five games, Shillong joins Quess East Bengal and table topper Chennai City (on goal difference) with three points to show. Four teams — Mohun Bagan, Gokulam Kerala, Minerva and Churchill Brothers — have a point each from their drawn games while Neroca, Aizawl and Indian Arrows have lost their opening games.
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