Shillong, Aug 8: Shillong Lajong FC put on a show at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, cruising to a commanding 5-0 victory over Mumbai FC in a Group E fixture of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup. The result takes Lajong to the top of the group with six points from two games.
Everbrightson Sana led the charge with a brace, while Abhay Gurung, Tremiki Lamurong and Figo Syndai also found the net as the home side overwhelmed their visitors in front of a raucous crowd.
Lajong set the tone from the start. Phrangki Buam and Jota stretched Mumbai down the flanks, and the first real chance came in the 7th minute when Ephraim Lalremtluanga’s free kick found Arthur Pangaro for a thumping header that was somehow scrambled clear. Kenstar Kharshong also missed from close range off a set piece in the 14th minute.
Mumbai struggled to settle against Lajong’s press. Their first shot on target came in the 23rd minute, but Mandeep Singh Multani’s effort lacked power. At the other end, goalkeeper Yasheel Manish Shah was busy, denying Sana in the 16th and pulling off a goal-line save from Pangaro in the 25th.
The game turned just before halftime. Mumbai captain Ahmed Faiz Khan was stretchered off in the 45th minute with an ankle injury. Within two minutes Lajong made them pay. Joedson Dos Santos’ free kick was headed by Sana, Yasheel saved but Gurung pounced on the rebound. Barely 90 seconds later, Tremiki collected inside the box, shifted past his marker and slotted home to make it 2-0 at the break.
Lajong didn’t let up. In the 52nd minute, Tremiki turned provider, threading a ball through for Sana to smash a first-time finish into the top corner. The forward celebrated with a trademark Ronaldo leap and “Siuuu” that the home end echoed back.
Mumbai tried to respond through Afzar Noorani, but any hope faded in the 64th minute when Dhruvmil Pandya’s heavy touch was pounced on by Sana, who drove in and finished for 4-0.
Yasheel made a string of saves to keep the score down, but the fifth came in the 88th. Substitute Manbhakupar Iawphniaw’s cross caused chaos and when Abhay Chhetri failed to clear, fellow substitute Syndai nodded in.
Langsning FC sit second in Group E on four points, with Nongkseh SS&CC on one. Mumbai FC remain bottom without a point. For Lajong, it’s a perfect start. For Mumbai, the challenge now is to regroup, and to do it without their captain.
