Goals from Ronney Kharbudon (22′) and Kenstar Kharshong (48′) ensured that Shillong Lajong FC prevailed over Rangdajied United FC 2-0 in Group F of the 133rd Durand Cup 2024 at the JN Stadium here today.
The win moves Lajong up to provisional first place in the group. They have 6 points, the same as FC Goa but with a better goal difference (+3 to +2). The meeting between the two sides on August 17 will thus decide which club tops the group.
There were 13,631 fans, according to the official count – not a full stadium but still a good turnout for a Shillong derby.
Although Lajong were not at their best, they still did enough on the evening; they needed to win by a two-goal margin for provisional first place and that is what they accomplished. The added bonus is that they have not conceded a single goal in two matches. Rangdajied came into this game on the back of a 4-3 defeat to FC Goa where they impressed mightily. However, today they seemed a little flat and rusty and did not look threatening enough, except in patches.
Jose Rodriguez Hevia made just one change to the SLFC line-up from their win against Tribhuvan Army FC of Nepal, with goalkeeper Neithovilie Chalieu starting in place of Manas Dubey while Rangdajied coach Ainbanjop Shadap named an unchanged side from the last game against Goa.
Lajong took the lead midway through the first half. RUFC failed to clear a free-kick and it was recycled from the left wing by Kenstar, who found Ronney free at the back post and the defender planted his header past everyone into the goal despite the best efforts of the defender to clear it off the line.
Rangdajied received a golden opportunity to level the scores, as they were awarded a penalty but an attempted lob from the spot by Tremiki Lamurong hit the crossbar. Lajong created the better chances towards the end of the half as Everbrightson Sana’s effort was brilliantly cleared off by Rangdajied defender Denelson Pyngrope to keep the scores intact at the break.
Lajong started the second half on the front foot and doubled their lead within four minutes of the restart, Kenstar leaping high to score from a powerful header from a corner kick.
Set-piece deliveries from Hardy Cliff Nongbri were especially dangerous with each one creating panic inside the Rangdajied box. Rangdajied were limited to defend in their own half and on the other end they could only muster some tame shots on the goal which did not trouble Neithovilie.
Phrangki Buam was in the thick of the action for Lajong, especially in the second half but either saw his attempts go wide or be blocked by Rangdajied goalie Banshanskhem Kharsyntiew.
With two defeats, Rangdajied are out of the running to progress to the next round but they still have one more match to play, against Tribhuvan on August 13 at 7pm at the same venue.
