Deepak Singh
Shillong, Aug 13: The Shillong derby between Shillong Lajong FC and Langsning FC on Thursday has become a crucial match not just for the Shillong clubs but also for other teams in the 135th Durand Cup, who would be keeping a close eye on it. It will decide which team tops the Group E and could also determine one of the final quarter-finalists of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup.
With five teams already through to the last eight, only three quarter-final places remain. One will go to the Group E winner, while the other two will be awarded to the best second-placed teams across the six groups.
Lajong hold the strongest position
Shillong Lajong enter the final Group E fixture as leaders with six points from two matches and a +7 goal difference.
Langsning, meanwhile, have four points from two games and a +5 goal difference.
The simplest equation for Lajong is also the safest one: win or draw against Langsning and they finish top of Group E and qualify directly for the quarter-finals.
A Lajong victory would take them to nine points, making them unreachable at the top of the group. A draw would take them to seven points, which would also be enough to finish above Langsning.
The pressure, therefore, is firmly on Langsning.
Langsning have only one option
For Langsning, there is essentially only one straightforward route to the quarter-finals: beat Shillong Lajong.
A victory would take Langsning to seven points and send them through as Group E winners.
In case of a draw, it would mark the end of their Durand Cup campaign. With East Bengal FC and Samaleswari Sporting already on six points, a five-point total would leave Langsning behind the current benchmark for the two best runners-up.
What happens if Langsning win?
This is where the Shillong derby becomes interesting.
If Langsning defeat Lajong, they finish Group E on seven points and qualify as group winners.
Lajong would then drop to second place on six points.
That would not necessarily eliminate Lajong. Instead, they would enter the race for one of the two best second-placed positions.
And Lajong would enter that race in a relatively strong position.
Presently, East Bengal are the current second-place benchmark with six points and a huge +12 goal difference. Samaleswari Sporting are also on six points but have a +3 goal difference.
Lajong currently have a +7 goal difference.
Therefore, if Lajong lose narrowly to Langsning, they could still finish with a goal difference better than Samaleswari and remain very much in contention for one of the two best-runner-up spots.
For example, a 1-0 Langsning victory would leave Lajong on six points with a +6 goal difference, while Langsning would move to seven points and top the group. That would put Lajong ahead of Samaleswari’s current +3 mark, although East Bengal’s +12 would remain a huge distance away.
The other contenders
The race for the two best runners-up is not restricted to Group E.
East Bengal have already completed their Group A campaign with six points and a +12 goal difference. Their massive goal difference gives them a strong position.
Samaleswari Sporting have also finished their Group B campaign on six points, with a +3 goal difference.
Jamshedpur FC are currently on three points with a +4 goal difference and have one match remaining. A victory would take them to six points and potentially put them directly into the race for a best-runner-up place.
Indian Air Force FT are also on three points, but their -5 goal difference makes their task much more difficult. Even if they win their final match and reach six points, they would need a substantial improvement in goal difference.
Bodoland FC are in a similar situation. They have three points and a -3 goal difference and would need to win their final Group F match convincingly to reach six points and challenge the teams already sitting on the benchmark.
The big picture
The Group E derby could therefore produce a rare situation where both Shillong teams have something significant to play for until the final whistle.
For Langsning, the equation is simple:
Win = Group E winners and quarter-final qualification.
Draw = five points and elimination.
Loss = four points and elimination.
For Lajong:
Win = Group E winners and quarter-final qualification.
Draw = Group E winners and quarter-final qualification.
Loss = six points and a place in the best-runner-up race
That makes Lajong the team with the safety net, while Langsning have no such luxury. The pressure on Langsning is therefore greater.
