IFL: Dominant Shillong Lajong forced to share spoils with Dempo at home

Panaji: Dempo SC were lucky to escape with a goalless draw against a dominant Shillong Lajong FC in their Indian Football League (IFL) Championship phase encounter at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Sunday.

Placed sixth on the table, Dempo believed they can turn things around in the Championship phase, but found themselves on the back foot in Shillong, where the home team were in control for most part. The result keeps Lajong second in the table with 18 points, seven behind leaders Diamond Harbour, while Dempo remain sixth with 10 points.

Lajong’s sharpness in possession, aided by strong home support, translated into early control. In the eighth minute, Lamlallian found space in the final third and struck at goal, but Aubin Kouakou positioned himself well to block.

Dempo’s attempts to construct from deep led to repeated turnovers under Lajong’s high press. Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah tested goalkeeper Ashish Sibi with a skidding effort from distance that the goalkeeper handled well.

The clearest opening of the first half came in the 34th minute when Aubin lost possession, allowing Sana to break through on goal. Defender Jose Moreno recovered with a well-timed sliding challenge to prevent the shot.

The hosts continued to threaten with Damaitphang Lyngdoh delivering a low cross across the six-yard area in the 38th minute that evaded any finishing touch. Lajong came closest in the 43rd minute, when Phrangki Buam’s shot from a tight angle was parried by Sibi before Lyngdoh struck the woodwork from distance.

Dempo produced a moment of quality in the 58th minute as Sebastian Gutierrez connected cleanly with a first-time volley from a tight angle, forcing goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar into a sharp save.

The visitors came close once again in the 67th minute from a set-piece. A delivery into the box was met by Jose Moreno, who cushioned the ball into Aubin Kouakou’s path. The defender’s close-range volley was struck firmly but straight at Sarkar, who reacted well. The rebound fell to Marcus Joseph, but he fired over the crossbar.

Lajong came agonisingly close to a late winner in stoppage time. In the second minute of additional time, substitute Abelson Jachi forced a spill from Sibi, and Kenstar Kharshong lifted the rebound over the goalkeeper, only to see his effort strike the crossbar again.

Lajong’s inability to convert dominance into goals proved decisive. Despite registering 20 shots, including five on target, they were unable to breach the Dempo defence.
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