Gritty Lajong hold Ten-men Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw
Ten-men Mohun Bagan were held to a 1-1 draw with Shillong Lajong FC in the fourth-round 2017/18 Hero I-League game at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.
Both goals of the game came through spot-kicks as Aser Pierrick Dipanda Dicka first scored for the Mariners in the 12th minute. Skipper Samuel Lalmuanpuia, in the 72nd minute, ensured that the Meghalaya-based side returned home with a point at least.
Without the services of Sony Norde and Ansumana Kromah, who failed the fitness test and with Arijit Bagui and Yuta Kinowaki indisposed, Abhishek Das and Dipendu Dowary got their first starts of the season while Shilton D’Silva and Naro Hari Shrestha were ushered back into the starting eleven by Sanjoy Sen. Bobby Nongbet, who came into the game under pressure after their 5-1 loss to Kingfisher East Bengal, had one good piece of news as Aiman Al-Hagri was fit to play and replaced F. Lalrohlua in the centre of midfield as they retained their 4-2-3-1 formation.
The setback for the visitors came as early as in the eleventh minute of the game when Rakesh Pradhan was guilty of bringing down winger Shaikh Faiaz inside the box, resulting to a penalty in favour of the hosts. Aser Pierrick Dipanda Dicka converted duly from the spot against his former side but chose not to celebrate and instead held aloft his teammate, Yuta Kinowaki’s jersey in support of the midfielder who underwent surgery midweek; now ruled out of action for a couple of months.
Samuel Lalmuanpuia tested Shilton Paul’s resolve twice in the first half but the Mohun Bagan keeper came out victorious on both occasions. Meanwhile, Dowary, making his Hero I-League debut had a brush with an open goal but missed the target around the half-hour mark.
Also Read: Miku, Chhetri on mark, as BFC floor 10-man FC Pune City
Alen Deory’s disappointing run of form continued as he was replaced by Samuel Kynshi after the half-time break. Lajong were dictating play in parts but were unable to find momentum in the final third.
The equalizer did arrive in the form of the second penalty of the game. Kinshuk Debnath was the culprit after he tripped Al-Hagri down and 19-year-old Samuel Lalmuanpuia obliged with a powerful spot-kick, which Shilton Paul failed to save, despite diving the right way.
That had clearly ruffled the feathers of the Green and Maroon as Kingsley Eze Obumneme out of frustration kicked Lalmuanpuia’s groin and was given his marching orders after receiving his second yellow of the game. Now down to ten men, the Mariners clearly lacked firepower upfront to make the difference as the tiring Dipanda alone could not get the winner as the game ended in a stalemate.
Sanjoy Sen’s side plagued with injuries and now suspensions, play NEROCA on 19th December as they missed a glaring opportunity to go past Minerva Punjab FC at the top of the table. Lajong, on the other hand, stay in the third place and visit the home of the defending champions, Aizawl FC in the next round.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates on Indian Football
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
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…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
Odisha FC wins their first-ever playoff match to qualify for semi-final with comeback victory against Kerala Blasters FC
Bhubaneswar, April 19: Odisha FC qualified for the semi-final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 by beating Kerala Blasters FC by 2-1 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar tonight. Accordingly,…
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…
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…
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…