In a thrilling quarter-final encounter at Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday, Shillong Lajong FC edged out East Bengal FC with a narrow 2-1 victory to secure their spot in the semi-finals. The match was a captivating contest between two determined sides, with Figo Syndai’s late winning goal sealing the fate of the Kolkata giants, who crashed out of the tournament.
The match began with a bang for Shillong Lajong, as they took an early lead, much to the surprise of East Bengal and their supporters. In the eighth minute, The Reds’ Marcos Rudwere broke the deadlock with a well-executed header. The goal came from a corner kick delivered by Hardy Nongbri, who expertly floated the ball into the box. Rudwere, showing great strength and determination, out-muscled his marker to connect with the ball, sending it past the East Bengal goalkeeper, Prabhsukhan Gill, and into the back of the net.
The early goal stunned the Red and Gold, who had come into the match with high expectations. Rudwere’s strike set the tone for what would be a fiercely contested match. The early lead gave the hosts a significant psychological advantage, allowing them to dictate the tempo in the opening stages.
East Bengal, stocked in the attacking department, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. Despite having more possession and creating several chances, they were unable to break down Jose Hevia’s well-organized defense. The Kolkata side’s forwards, including the likes of Nandhakumar Sekar and Cleiton Silva, found themselves repeatedly frustrated by a resilient Shillong Lajong backline that was determined to preserve their lead.
As the half progressed, the Cuadrat coached side’s frustration grew. They were presented with opportunities to equalize, but their finishing let them down at crucial moments. On one occasion, Rudwere nearly doubled Shillong Lajong’s lead when his header from another set-piece hit the crossbar, sending a scare through the East Bengal camp.
Despite their best efforts, the Red and Gold went into the halftime break trailing by a goal. The team knew they needed to regroup and find a way to turn their dominance in possession into goals if they were to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
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The second half saw a more determined East Bengal take to the field. With the clock ticking down, they knew that time was running out to salvage their campaign. Both teams engaged in an intense, end-to-end battle, with chances coming thick and fast at either end of the pitch. Shillong Lajong, despite being a goal ahead, did not sit back and defended their lead vigorously while also looking to catch Cuadrat’s side on the counterattack.
East Bengal’s persistence finally paid off in the 77th minute when substitute Vishnu PV, who had been brought on to add more attacking flair, made an immediate impact. Vishnu delivered a precise pass into the path of Nandhakumar Sekar, who showed composure and precision to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net, beating the The Reds’ goalkeeper. The equalizer sparked jubilation among the Red and Gold players and fans, who believed that their team was back in the game.
With the score level at 1-1, the momentum seemed to be shifting in East Bengal’s favor. The Kolkata outfit, sensing an opportunity to clinch the match, pressed forward with even greater intensity. However, their aggressive approach left gaps at the back, and Shillong Lajong were quick to exploit these openings.
As the match entered its final stages, Hevia’s side regained their composure and began to push forward, looking for a winning goal. In the dying moments of the match, a well-worked move saw Rudwere, who had been a constant thorn in East Bengal’s side, deliver a dangerous cross into the box. Figo Syndai, timing his run perfectly, met the cross with a calm finish, guiding the ball past a helpless Prabhsukhan Gill and restoring Shillong Lajong’s lead.
The goal was a devastating blow for East Bengal, who had fought hard to get back into the game. With only minutes remaining on the clock, they threw everything forward in search of another equalizer, but The Reds’ defense held firm. The hosts showed great resilience in the closing stages, repelling East Bengal’s attacks and preserving their hard-earned lead.
When the final whistle blew, it was Shillong Lajong who emerged victorious, securing their place in the semi-finals with a well-deserved 2-1 win. The match was a testament to their determination and Hevia’s tactical discipline, as they managed to outlast a strong East Bengal side that never gave up.
For East Bengal, the defeat marked the end of their journey in the tournament. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome the early setback and ultimately paid the price for their missed opportunities. Shillong Lajong, on the other hand, will celebrate their triumph, knowing that they have overcome one of the giants of Indian football to move one step closer to the final. They will now face NorthEast United in a mouth-watering semi-final clash.
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