AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: In tow with All India Football Federation’s persistent focus on Grassroots and Youth Development, Shillong Lajong riding their youth products made heads turn with their capture of the Shillong Premier League.

With an average age of 19, the Highlanders beat all odds to be crowned champions courtesy a convincing 3-0 victory over Langsning FC.

The Lajong boys went into the match determined and resolute. The Junior Reds seized the game by the scruff of the neck right from the kick off.

Their excellent team work was rewarded as early as in the 16th minute when in-form midfielder, Rupert Nongrum found the back of the net to hand Lajong the lead. Three minutes later, Rupert doubled the lead from the penalty spot. Despite several attempts, Langsning could not break the defence and the Lajong Junior Boys went into the break with a two goal lead.

The Junior Reds started the second half as they did the first. Despite a two goal cushion, they continued to dominate the game looking for a third goal. Like in the first half, Langsning created few chances but were not successful in front of goal.

In the 67th minute, Jacob scored a blinder from 30 yards out, giving Lajong Juniors a three goal lead.

Impressively, the young boys did not let the occasion get the better of them & the defence stayed resolute.

This season has been a testament to the solid groundwork that has been laid and the strength of the Academy that Lajong has. It is noteworthy that the average age of the squad is only 19 years.

The Shillong Lajong Football Club Academy was set up in 2007 with the sole aim to develop the game at the grassroots level keeping in mind the abundant football talent in the North East.

The academy’s aim lies in moulding and shaping the boys into future stars and ultimately paving the way into the senior team. The Academy has been instrumental in transforming and grooming the young players and has eventually helped them graduate to the Club’s senior team, and most importantly, helped them grow into the next batch of football stars, leaving no stone unturned in the quest for precision and excellence.

The Club had started the Goal 14 project in 2009 with the objective to develop local players from the North East who would become a new generation of Lajong Products for I league. This project has managed to create many football prodigies from the 8 states of the North East as the academy boast of 10 players of the Under 19 Indian National Team. The success of the Goal 14 project is evident as many of these players are involved in top flight football in the country.

(Information and Picture Courtesy: Shillong Lajong Media Team)