Young Shillong Lajong secured victory over debutants Gokulam Kerala FC

Alen Deory Heads Home To Give Lajong Important Win In Hero I-League Opener.

The Second match of the Hero I-League 2017-18 season started to The local tunes of Shillong, the match proceeded with Lajong playing offensive with a formation of 4-3-2-1 and Gokulam played rather defensive with a formation of 4-3-3. Eventually, the hosts garnered all three points in their season opener, all thanks to the 76th-minute goal by Alen Deory.

The first half was very interesting, rather electrifying. Both teams played their parts brilliantly with Lajong playing offensive and Gokulam playing defensive. The ball possession was not constant to any team and both teams were able to snatch the ball from each other making the ball juggle from one goalpost to the other.

There were a lot of attempts taken by both the sides but all of them were unable to penetrate into the goal. Either the ball was deflected by the goalkeeper or was overshot beyond the post. The two most important attempts taken in the first half were both by Samuel Lalmuanpuia, captain of Shillong Lajong.

At the end of the first half, two minutes extra time was given for either of the teams to play their magic. Unfortunately enough for both the teams, no goals were scored in the first half. The crowd of Shillong were rather disappointed at this goal-less first half.

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The second half of the game was rather rougher than the first half. Although no serious fouls were committed, still the players were seen stumbling upon each other and the tackling was fierce. In this half of the game, Lajong had more ball possession, near about 60 percent. 

There was one substitution each for Lajong as well as for Gokulam. In case of Lajong, Kynsailang Khongsit was called out of the game to be substituted by Samuel J Lyngdoh Kynshi. In case of Gokulam, Usman Ashik replaced Arif Shaikh.

The game was going well for Gokulam until the 76th minute when Alen Deory scored a header into the goal, assisted by the skipper Samuel Lalmuanpuia. It was a long free-kick taken by Samuel and Alen poked in a brilliant header to breach the resilient Gokulam defence.

After the goal, Gokulam went all guns blazing to score an equaliser but were unable to do so. Four minutes of extra time were given to the match and Gokulam tried to score but succumbed to Lajong’s defences.

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Alen Deory went on to be the Hero of the match. In front of a strong home support, Lajong set off their Hero I-League journey with a clinical three-pointer.