Shillong, Aug 8: Shillong Lajong FC continued their impressive momentum at the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over Mumbay FC in a Group E clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.
The comprehensive win takes Lajong to the top of Group E with six points from two matches, strengthening their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. Langsning FC are second with four points, while Nongkseh SS&CC have one point. Mumbay FC remain rooted to the bottom of the table without a point from two games.
Everbrightson Sana starred for the hosts with a second-half brace, while Abhay Gurung, Tremiki Lamurong and substitute Figo Syndai also found the net in front of a vocal home crowd.
Shillong Lajong dominated possession from the opening whistle and created several early chances. Arthur Pangaro came close in the seventh minute with a powerful header from Ephraim Lalremtluanga’s free-kick, but Mumbay’s defence managed to clear the effort off the line. Captain Kenstar Kharshong also missed a good opportunity from another set-piece minutes later.
Despite sustained pressure, Mumbay goalkeeper Yasheel Manish Shah kept his side in the contest with a series of important saves, denying Sana and Pangaro during the opening half. Mumbay struggled to threaten going forward, with their first shot on target arriving only in the 23rd minute.
The visitors suffered a major setback just before half-time when captain Ahmed Faiz Khan was forced off with an ankle injury after clearing the ball.
Lajong capitalised immediately.
In first-half stoppage time, Joedson Dos Santos’ free-kick found Sana, whose header was parried by Yasheel before Abhay Gurung reacted quickest to score the opening goal in the 45+1 minute.
Just two minutes later, Tremiki Lamurong doubled the advantage after collecting the ball inside the box, creating space for himself and calmly finishing past the goalkeeper to send Lajong into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The hosts continued their attacking display after the restart.
Tremiki turned provider in the 52nd minute, threading a perfect pass through the Mumbay defence for Sana, who blasted a first-time finish into the top corner to make it 3-0.
Sana grabbed his second and Lajong’s fourth in the 64th minute after capitalising on a defensive error, driving into the box before calmly finishing past Yasheel.
Although the Mumbay goalkeeper continued to produce several fine saves to prevent further damage, Lajong completed the rout two minutes from time.
Substitute Manbhakupar Iawphniaw delivered a dangerous cross into the box, and after a failed clearance, fellow substitute Figo Syndai headed home in the 88th minute to complete an emphatic 5-0 victory.
