I-League Media Team

SHILLONG: It was a disappointing day in the office for Shillong Lajong FC, as Pune FC secured a 1-0 with a fifth minute goal from Zohmingliana Ralte at the JN Stadium here on Sunday.

A win in this game would have assured Lajong of a place in next season’s Hero I-League, but the frustrated Lajong Faithfuls will have to wait until the final game of the season to find out whether their team survive relegation.

Action started in SLFC’s favour with Cornell Glen firing in a left-footed shot in just the third minute that Pune goalie Amrinder Singh saved well with a sharp dive to his right. The Pune custodian had a very good day under the bar. He was put to the test almost throughout the match, but ultimately had every attempt on goal covered and he was the deserving Hero of the Match.

If that buoyed up the fans, they were brought down with a shuddering crash after Zohmingliana benefited from a piece of luck just a couple of minutes later when a corner kick rebounded off the crossbar, allowing him to head the ball in for the only goal of the game.

Darko Nikac and Ishfaq Ahmed had their good moments for the visitors, too, but they were for the most part on the defensive, though Lajong could not make their dominance of possession count for anything in the end. Ahmed almost sealed the deal for the Red Lizards with a last gasp goal in the second half, when momentum had clearly swung the home team’s way.

Substitute Durga Boro, Penn Orji and Glen tried their ultimate up front, but they were continually frustrated and poor finishing was also to blame. Boithang Haokip generally had a day to forget, while Seiminlen Doungel failed to convert on three occasions – including the simplest of chances from within the six-yard box in the 63rd minute, somehow managing to hit the crossbar. He was substituted around 15 minutes later for Lalrammuana.

The hosts were denied a goal in the final minute of regulation time when Glen was ruled offside by the linesman and the Trinidadian then saw a later header easily collected by Amrinder off a corner kick deep in stoppage time.

Pune did not look the best side, but they maintained their good run of form against the Reds, now extending their unbeaten run against the Shillong outfit to six matches. The Red Lizards are in fifth position on 29 points and a win in their final outing could theoretically see them finish this season’s campaign in third place.

Lajong, meanwhile, are now ninth and will have to pick themselves up for the final fixture against East Bengal on Saturday.

Hero of The Match: Amrinder Singh (PFC)

Picture Courtesy: Pune FC