Shillong, Aug 3: History unfolded in Meghalaya on Friday evening as Shillong hosted its first ever Durand Cup match. The Group F matches of the 133rd Durand Cup kicked-off in a glittering ceremony attended by the who’s who of the state, including Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, ministers, civil and military officials.
In the opening match, local team Shillong Lajong FC faced – off against Tribhuvan Army Football Club (TAFC) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and the hosts did not disappoint. They put on a spectacular performance to win the match. Although the Lajong scored just one goal to win the match, it has begun on a notable journey ahead, both for the team and the soccer scene in the state.
Shillong Lajong’s triumphant return to JN Stadium
The Red Dragons celebrated their return to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium after 2018 in fine fashion, with Wadjied Ryngkhlem striking early for home side Shillong Lajong to secure all three points
In the intense clash, Shillong Lajong’s head coach, Jose Hevia, opted for a 4-3-3 formation, placing Brazilian forward Marcos Rudwere Silva at the forefront. On the opposing side, Tribhuvan Army FC’s head coach, K.C. Meghraj, fielded a seasoned lineup led by Nepal international Bharat Khawas.
The home team seized an early advantage in the sixth minute, despite Tribhuvan Army FC’s initial dominance. Wadjied Ryngkhlem’s precise shot navigated through a maze of defenders, finding the back of the net past the diving goalkeeper. The match’s brisk tempo saw both teams pushing forward, but Shillong Lajong consistently created superior opportunities. However, a lack of composure in front of goal prevented them from extending their lead, with Hardy Cliff Nongbri, Everbrighton Sana, and Marcos Rudwere Silva missing key chances.
Tribhuvan Army FC, meanwhile, weathered the pressure, relying on counter-attacks to create their own scoring opportunities. Basant Jimba had a golden chance to equalize just before halftime but failed to convert with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The second half saw Shillong Lajong maintaining their offensive strategy, creating numerous chances but still struggling to secure a second goal. Tribhuvan’s goalkeeper, Bikesh Kuthu, displayed exceptional skills, thwarting several goal-bound efforts. On the other end, Shillong’s goalkeeper, Manas Dubey, made a crucial save, stopping Basant Jimba’s close-range header.
Ultimately, Shillong Lajong managed to preserve their narrow lead, celebrating a triumphant return to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with a well-deserved victory.
Shillong Lajong FC is currently at the top of the group table and will play in the coming days against Indian Super League sides FC Goa and Hyderabad FC. All the 6 matches of Group F will be played in Shillong.
All 43 matches of the 133rd Durand Cup will be broadcast LIVE on the Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten2 HD) as well as livestreamed on the SonyLiv OTT platform.
Read: Meghalaya announces Rs 3 cr grants for local football clubs, to soon launch ‘Mission Football 2.0’
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