Salgaocar FC vs Shillong Lajong FC
Source: Shillong Lajong FC *
Shillong, March 12 2016 :
Salgaocar FC got the better of Shillong Lajong FC to win 1-0 in a Hero I-League encounter played today in Tilak Maidan, Goa.
Gilbert Oliveira�s long range strike in the first half was enough to earn the home team all three points.
The match kicked off with a lot of energy from both sides despite the heat in Goa.
The Players moved quickly all around the pitch and the first real chance of the match fell for Lajong midfielder Penn Orji who had a chance at goal in the 4th minute but his shot went wide.
Salgaocar had the physical threat of Mbarga upfront but could not threaten the Lajong Goalkeeper too much.
Lajong had a lot of possession and controlled the midfield well but could not trouble the Salgaocar Goalkeeper too much.
Both teams had good opportunities to take the lead but the strikers did not manage to convert them.
The home team made an early substitution in the 26th minute when Brian Mascarenhas replaced Alesh Sawant.
The Greens threatened the visitors on the counter throughout the match and were disciplined in their defence.
They earned a corner from the counter which was cleared by Lajong�s defence but it fell in front of Gilbert Oliveira who shot it towards the top right corner of the Goalkeeper and thus gave his side the lead in the 31st minute.
Lajong tried to respond and the Coach made a substitution in the 40th minute by replacing Bipin with Isaac but could not affect the score line in the first half.
The second half was a better half for Lajong as they had majority of possession and put a lot of pressure on the home side who sat back and looked to counter the attack.
Boithang Haokip had replaced Chinglensana at the start of the second half and he slot into the midfield while Aibor stepped into Centre back position.
Lajong�s main downfall was a lot of misplaced passes and errors as they should have capitalised on their possession.
The home team made a substitution in the 68th minute as Haokip made way for Seityasen.
Boithang had a chance to equalise in the 72nd minute with a free kick outside the box but his shot went just wide of the post.
Salgaocar had couple of chances to finish the game but their attempts did not have enough quality.
Lajong replaced Samuel Lalmuanpuia in the 87th minute with Alen Deory upfront and the visitors fought hard to equalise but Salgaocar�s Defence were shaped well to prevent conceding a goal.
The match ended with a win for Salgaocar who climbs above Lajong in the Hero I-league standings.
As the League heads for a break, Shillong Lajong will play their next match against Aizawl FC on the 1st of April 2016 in Shillong for the second leg of the North-East derby.
* The sender of this news can be contacted at info(AT)shillonglajong(DOT)com .