A hat-trick by Douglas Tardin saw Shillong Lajong FC thump SC Bengaluru in their I-League 2024-25 match at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today.
There was just the one change for Lajong from their 1-0 win against Real Kashmir FC last week, with Daniel Goncalves back in the starting line-up to replace Kenstar Kharshong.
After a rough start that saw two home players and one from the visitors receive yellow cards in the first 16 minutes, Daniel scored in the 40th minute with a sublime low volley to hand Lajong the lead before Figo Syndai (45’+2) doubled it in stoppage time.
SC Bengaluru made a couple of half time changes and SLFC coach Jose Carlos Rodriguez Hevia followed suit before the hour mark before Douglas netted his first of the evening in the 61st minute. He went on to score two more (67′, 75′) to complete his hat-trick in just 15 minutes. Douglas, one of Lajong’s four Brazilian players, now has 6 goals this season for the Reds.
With back-to-back wins, Lajong are now fourth in the standings with 12 points. It was a pathetic display from SC Bengaluru and they are right at the bottom with just 5 points from eight outings.
Lajong will next travel to Sreenidi Deccan for a match on January 18, the start of a whole string of away games. Sreenidi are in 10th place currently but will play Real Kashmir tomorrow.
