I-League 2024-25: Shillong Lajong hold Inter Kashi at home

Both teams fought till the end of the I-League contest.

Shillong Lajong FC and Inter Kashi played out a goalless albeit entertaining draw to bring Round 3 of the I-League 2024-25 to a close at the SSA Stadium on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

Inter Kashi’s perfect run of two wins in two came to a halt, but they maintained the top spot in the standings with seven points thanks to their superior goal difference over Real Kashmir FC and Dempo SC. Shillong Lajong, meanwhile, are still winless with two points so far.

It was the visitors who ran the show throughout the first half. Their attack was purring in the opening quarter of the game, all quick movements and delectable shapes, but lacking the crucial finesse when it meant business. Edmund Lalrindika and Nikola Stojanović, in particular, were electric on both wings, with their deliveries gasping for one onrushing striker to intercept in the box. 

Lajong have never been the type of team to take a beating lying down and definitely not at home. Even when facing an onslaught, they carved out chances of their own, and perhaps may even have had the better ones in the half. Douglas Tardin came closest, poking a ball with his foot after a melee and botched clearance gifted him an opportunity in the six-yard box. Arindam Bhattacharya made a miraculous block. 

Not long after, Lajong had another their young winger Sheen Stevenson Sohktung stamping his mark with a brilliant shuffle and glide before curling a shot at the far post. Bhattacharya was beaten but the ball drifted just wide. At the other end, right at the stroke of half-time, Stojanović carved out a chance on his own, volleying from range after a clearance fell in his path. It flew wide.     

The two sides came back on with much the same vigour and game plan as the first. Inter Kashi controlled the game and constantly kept up the attack, as Shillong Lajong drew them out before pouncing on the counter.

Kashi’s rigour almost brought reward in the 59th minute, when Narayan Das’ brilliant set-piece delivery was met perfectly by Domingo Berlanga’s head. The ball seemed destined for the far corner, only for Ranjit Sarkar to pull off a magnificent diving save with his left hand.

The two sides exchanged half chances over the next half an hour and as the clock ticked down, the game became more tempestuous, tackles flying in as freely as crosses. Lajong had one final chance in the final minute of the game, when, after a series of headers, the ball fell to Phrangki Buam 10 yards from goal. His shot fell straight at Bhattacharya’s body and bounced away. Kashi breathed a sigh of relief and the game ended as it began, goalless and even. 

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