Shillong Lajong FC are out of the running for a place in the Super Cup semifinals after they lost their second consecutive group match, this time to NorthEast United FC.
Lajong had taken the lead in the first half of the Group B fixture only to see NEUFC score twice in the second half to take the match 2-1.
SLFC had lost their opening match to Kerala Blasters 3-1, while the Highlanders went down 2-1 to Jamshedpur FC. Only the top team from the group will qualify for the semifinals.
Today, coach Bobby Lyngdoh Nongbet made two changes from that first Lajong match, starting with Saveme Tariang and Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem in place of Allen Lyngdoh Nongbri and Abdou Karim Samb respectively. The gaffer was forced to make an early substitution after Kynsaibor Lhuid was injured, with Hardy Cliff Nongbri taking his spot.
Douglas Tardin, Lajong’s new Brazilian recruit, then scored in the 17th minute to put the I-League side in front and the team held on to that slender lead going into the break.
However, Nestor Albiach then produced a brace, with his first goal in the 59th minute followed by a penalty eight minutes later.
It was not the friendliest match between the two sides, with five of the ISL club’s players going into the referee’s book but it ended in NEUFC’s favour and they will be happy to get a victory, their first of 2024, under their belts.
Lajong will face Jamshedpur in their final group game on January 20 at 2pm.
