A foreigner less Shillong Lajong outfit register surprise win over Aizawl FC in their first match of I-League 2018/19 season...

Shillong Lajong stun Aizawl FC 2-1 in their first match of I-League 2018/19 season on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. Naorem Mahesh Singh scored a brace to seal crucial three points for his club. Ansumana Kromah scored the consolation goal for the visitors.

Coach Gift Raikhan fielded four foreign players in the Aizawl FC starting XI today. Ansumana Kromah was paired with Leonce Dodoz upfront. Skipper Alfred Jaryan was deployed in central midfield and Kareem Omoloja started in the central defence. Kyrgyz Republic midfielder Bektur Talgat Uulu was kept on the bench.

Lajong coach Alison Kharsyntiew deployed Novin Gurung and Rakesh Pradhan as the fullbacks. Aibanbha Dohling and Kenstar Kharshong made the central defensive pairing. Lalrohlua and Phrangki Buam were in the middle of the park with Samuel Kynshi and Lalawmpuia Hnamte played on the flank. Samuel Lalmuanpuia and Naorem Mahesh were deployed up front.

Mahesh Singh broke the deadlock for the home side in 20th-minute witch a world-class strike from the edge of the box. After receiving a pass on the right edge of the penalty box from Novin Gurung, Mahesh dribbled past one defender with a flick and curled the ball into the back of the net.

Gift Raikhan’s side failed to show any quality on the pitch in the first half. Even with four foreign players against an all-Indian side of Lajong, Aizawl failed to produce a quality game.

Alfred Jaryan came very close to score the equaliser within five minutes of the second half when he was at handshaking distance from the goalkeeper but his weak shot failed to trouble Neithovilie Chalieu.

The Aizawl skipper got punished for squandering an easy chance within a minute as Mahesh completed his brace. Another cross from Novin Gurung was tapped in by Mahesh in front of the goal.

Aizawl’s star striker Kromah missed several chances throughout the match but he somewhat made up for it by pulling one back in the 71st minute. The Liberian striker was brought down inside the box and a penalty was awarded to the visitors. Kromah’s shot went straight into the goal.

The former I-League champions went all guns blazing after scoring one goal in the final 20 minutes of the match but Lajong defenders stood firm on the ground and protected their goal valiantly.

A win in their first match against Aizawl FC comes as a surprise from Lajong who have taken a call to field an all-Indian side this season.