Wellington Phoenix beats die hard Shillong Lajong 5-2
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 26 2012: In the last match of the North East Lajong Super Series in Imphal, Wellington Phoenix FC beat Shillong Lajong FC 5-2, played today at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal.

As expected, the match today drew a large spectators numbering around 18,000 football fans which almost filled the stadium.

Even though Wellington Phoenix dominated the match right from the beginning, the die hard actions of Shillong Lajong managed to pull the crowd in the spirit of sports.

Filled with Manipuri players, the match was like a match between Manipur and Wellington Phoenix.

However, the inability of Reneddy Potshangbam due to his leg injuries was a major setback in the sporting mood of the thousands of football enthusiasts of the state.

But the action packed performances of SLFC captain M Govind, Kh Jiban, Chitrasen and Sushilkumar entertained the lively fans.

The match began with high notes among the players of both teams.

Skilfull performances of Wellington Phoenix players succeeded in dominating the match right from the beginning.

Jeremy Brockie who represented New Zealand in the 2010 World Cup opened the goal account of Wellington Phoenix in the 16th minute with the help of Louis Fenton and Paul Ilfill who get him behind the strong defence of Shillong Lajong.

He scored another brace in the 42nd minute and completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute.

Unable to open their goal account, Shillong Lajong played the match seeking chance to sneak in the ball through the defence of Wellington Phoenix.

Their efforts finally paid when the newly signed striker of Shillong Lajong Friday Gbeneme opened the goal account in the 74th minute and netted a brace in the 84th minute.

With the match advancing towards its end, Jeremy Brockie again scored another goal in the 87th minute thereby devastating the hope of Shillong Lajong to equalise the score.

Adding to their disappointment, Tom Biss scored the fifth goal of Wellington Phoenix in the injury time and sealed the match result to 5-2 in favour of Wellington Phoenix FC.

Meanwhile, international footballer Reneddy Potshangbam said that he was disappointed on not playing the match against Wellington Phoenix in front of his own home crowd in Imphal due to his leg injuries.

However, he will be able to play the next match of Shillong Lajong against United Sikkim FC on August 30 at Shillong.

The Australian A-League team, Wellington Phoenix FC will be playing an exhibition match with Shillong Premier League Champions, Royal Wahingdoh FC on the August 29 and will either play United Sikkim or Shillong Lajong FC in the final of the North East Lajong Super Series on September 1 at the JN Stadium Shillong at 3:15 PM.

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