VASCO: Salgaocar proved ‘two’ hot to handle for a young Shillong Lajong side with no foreigners registered as they won 2-1 in a Group B Hero Federation Cup encounter here at the Tilak Maidan on Wednesday (December 31, 2014).
As much flattering the scoreline might look, it was one-way traffic for most parts of the game which saw All India Football Federation (AIFF) Elite Academy graduate Vishal Kaith perform admirably between the sticks for Lajong in the first half only to fall short post the break to goals from an excellent Bikash Jairu and Gurjinder Kumar.
Salgaocar defender Pritam Kumar – another AIFF graduate – hit the woodwork quite ominously before Salgaocar took the lead in the second period. Substitute Jacob Lalrawngbawia halved the margin for Shillong deep into second half stoppage time.
But Vishal was the standout performer as only one clear cut chance befell them throughout the 90 minutes.
The AIFF Academy product was tested thrice in the first half and had it not been for his fine saves, the Shillong side would be going into the break licking their wounds.
The onslaught started as early as in the seventh minute when Douhou’s dipping long-range effort was tipped over by Vishal. Gurjinder headed wide from the resultant corner.
Six minutes later the Shimla born 19-year old –first choice keeper in Colm Toal’s India U-19 Team which took part in the AFC U-19 Championships in Qatar last year – was called into action again saving low from Duffy’s powerful drive.
The local outfit were all over the Highlanders and the young side with no foreigners – the only team in the competition to do so – found it difficult to stem the tide of attacks.
Jairu won the ball in midfield and darted into the box to force a near-post save from Vishal.
The loose ball was then picked up by Gilbert who relayed it to Jairu who in turn found Duffy in the box but the Scottish striker who was the topscorer in last season’s I-League failed to do enough after receiving the ball beautifully on the chest.
It didn’t get any better for Thangboi Singto as their main striker Durga Boro picked up a knock and had to be replaced by last match’s goalscorer Lalrammuana in the 25th minute.
For once Vishal was not making a save as from the next, Gilbert Oliviera dragged a volley wide off Jairu’s floater. In the very next minute, Thangjam Singh’s cross-shot from the edge of the box was inches over landing on the roof of the net.
Vishal capped an excellent first half with his best save of the period, spreading his body like a starfish to deny Gilbert’s swerving effort out with the half coming to a close.
Singto made a couple of changes after the break bringing on Redeem Tlang and Samuel Shadap. But for all their attacks in the first half, the green shirts took the lead through their best player of the match Jairu. Making the most of a pinpoint layoff from Duffy, the 32-year old slotted home at the far post with an advancing Vishal finally breached.
Salgaocar pulled away in between a superb save from India’s no.1 Subrata Paul who denied Shadap with a fine low save. This time Thangjam’s corner found Gurjinder who leapt highest to nod in. Earlier Pawan Kumar had hit the crosspiece from a similar Thangjam flag kick.
Courtesy the result, Lajong now face an uphill task with two losses from as many games while Salgaocar would breathe a sigh of relief after the loss to Bengaluru FC in the Fed Cup opener.
Dudu Saves East Bengal The Blushes
East Bengal left it late, a little too late but in the nick of time to deny 10-man Royal Wahingdoh a morale-boosting draw in a tightly fought Group A Hero Federation Cup match here at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday (December 31, 2014).
Nigerian Dudu Omagbemi headed in from substitute Joachim Abranches’ cross after Leo Bertos took a short corner in the 96th minute of the match in which Wahingdoh played with ten men for 81 minutes including added time.
Lalmangaihsanga was red carded for a rude tackle on Abhishek Das in the 15th minute. India International Mehtab Hossain and Wahingdoh talisman Jackichand Singh came close to breaking the deadlock in the first and third minute of second half injury time.
Jackichand was guilty of not dribbling a few more yards from a one on one situation with goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury while Mehtab’s scooped effort from the edge of the box ballooned off the bar.
The last-gasp win gives East Bengal their first points while Wahingdoh sit on three after two matches.
Both East Bengal and Royal Wahingdoh made one change each from the last match. Abhishek Das replaced Deepak Mondal at left back while for Wahingdoh Samananda Singh filled Malsawmtluanga’s shoes.
Royal Wahingdoh made their intentions clear early on that they were not here to sit back and defend with both Jackichand and Bekay Bawar coming close in the 3rd and 4th minute respectively.
While the Manipuri who was the hero in the Shillong side’s first game worked Subhashish with a powerful shot which the keeper held onto, Bawar’s effort fizzed across goal in the next minute.
Santosh Kashyap’s wards looked the likelier of the two outfits to take the lead early on when Milan Susak was guilty of illegitimately bringing down Bekay Bawar in the air. The resultant freekick was on the edge of the box but Bawar’s take came off the wall.
Their joy though hit rough weather soon after. Lalmangaihsanga was given marching orders for a poor challenge on Abhishek with the East Bengal left-back taking some time to get back on his feet.
Down to ten men the newly-promoted team dropped deeper and were now looking to break on the counter.
Lalrindika Ralte and Dudu came to the forefront after the former set the Nigerian up with two good crosses only to see one saved and the other flagged offside. Dika found Ranti for the third time but the goal was not to come as the striker scuffed a glorious chance wide.
After the break, it was Dudu again spurning Mehtab’s through ball before he nodded into the net but the ball touched an offside Ranti’s leg en route.
For Wahingdoh, Bawar shot over and Jackichand jinked his way into the box only to under-hit his take. Joachim replaced an ineffective Cavin Lobo in the 70th minute as East Bengal pressed for the elusive.
The change eventually worked as Joachim played a decisive role in setting up the winner.