The victory takes Shillong Lajong's total to 21 points from 17 matches..

At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, Santosh Kashyap-led Aizawl bowed down to Shillong Lajong in a 2-1 result in which Abdoulaye Koffi (58’), Saihou Jagne (73’) and Leonce Dodoz (90+6') scored a goal each.

On Monday evening, the two northeastern outfits opted for two changes each as Novin Gurung and Kynsailang Khongsit replaced Alen Deory and Abdoulaye Koffi for the hosts and Lalchhawnkima and Hmingthan Mawia came in for Lalrosanga and Masih Saighani in Aizawl’s defense.

Lajong had a clumsy start to the match as the shaky defensive line allowed Leonce Dodoz to penetrate in the box in the 7th minute. Novin Gurung was unalert on the ball which caused trouble as Dodoz charged into the 18-yard-box before taking a shot from the left-side that tested custodian Nidhin Lal.

It took the home side 20 minutes to get a shot on target when Redeem Tlang, who replaced Hardy Cliff in the 13th minute, attempted a long-range strike. Positioned just outside the Aizawl box, Tlang released a left-footed effort which had an awkward bounce off the ground and saw goalkeeper Avilash Paul struggle to gather it.

In the 42nd minute, Tlang was under limelight yet again when he connected with Novin Gurung’s cross from the left. However, the 22-year-old couldn’t keep the ball on target as the delivery sailed over the bar.

In the second half, Abdoulaye Koffi was introduced by Lajong and it turned out to be a vital change as the 26-year-old found the net in the 58th minute. Getting his head to the cross sent by Saihou Jagne from the right side, Koffi sent the ball beyond the reach of Avilash Paul to get the lead.

In the 67th minute, Aizawl had the golden opportunity to register the equalizer when custodian Lal messed up an easy collection from Albert Zohmingmawia’s cross. Following the spilling of the delivery, Lalram Hmunmawia took a shot on the rebound but it went in vain.

The Reds didn’t stay quiet and slotted in the second goal of the evening in the 73rd minute, courtesy of Saihou Jagne. Getting the better of defender Alfred Jaryan, the Swedish-Gambian striker made his way into the box before poking the ball into the net.

In the dying moments of the match, Lalthathanga came close to destroying the hosts’ chances of a clean-sheet when he released a shot from inside the box, following a layoff from Leonce Dodoz. However, Nidhin Lal did well to parry it away. However, Lal fell prey to the Aizawl attack in injury time as he failed to collect Andrei Ionescu’s shot which allowed Leonce Dodoz to shoot the ball into the target from the loose clearance.

The goal came too late for the visiting side as Lajong walked off with full points at the full-time whistle, thereby doing the double over northeastern rivals Aizawl.