Shillong Lajong FC Advances to Durand Cup Quarter-Finals After Thrilling Draw
Exciting Match Ends in Draw
Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], August 14: In a gripping encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong Lajong FC secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the 135th Durand Cup by playing to a 3-3 draw against Langsning FC during a Group E match on Thursday.
This result allowed Shillong Lajong to top the group with seven points, while Langsning FC finished second with five points, despite their commendable effort, as reported.
Joao Vitor de Paula Morais, known as Jota, scored two goals for Shillong Lajong, with Everbrighton Sana adding a third late in the game. Langsning FC fought back valiantly, scoring through Kyrmenskhem Mukhim, Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem, and Syed Ahmed, the latter finding the net deep into stoppage time.
The outcome also confirmed the advancement of East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC to the quarter-finals as the two best second-placed teams in the tournament, thanks to their superior goal difference.
Shillong Lajong made their intentions clear right from the start, winning an early free kick that Phrangki Buam delivered dangerously into the box, though Langsning managed to clear the threat.
Both teams created chances early on, with Jota testing Langsning's goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh in the fifth minute, while Langsning responded with a goalmouth scramble in the eighth minute, where a long throw from Chusrang Sangma hit the crossbar before being cleared by Shillong Lajong.
The match maintained a high tempo, with both sides engaging in open, transitional play despite the high stakes. Shillong Lajong nearly broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Sana squared the ball across an unguarded goal, but Abhay Gurung failed to connect.
Langsning also had their chances, with Sangma's low shot being blocked by Joedson Dos Santos in the 18th minute, and another long-range effort being comfortably saved by Shillong Lajong's goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar.
The first goal came in the 26th minute due to a defensive error. Joedson's pass intended for Jota was intercepted by Langsning's captain Atlanson Kharmaw, but the ball fell to Jota, who calmly slotted it home after driving into the box.
Shillong Lajong doubled their lead just four minutes later with a well-crafted goal. Sana executed a clever backheel under pressure to set up Jota, who skillfully maneuvered past his defender before finding the far corner of the net.
Langsning, undeterred by being two goals down, continued to press forward, knowing they needed a win to advance. Syed Ahmed forced a good save from Sarkar in the 37th minute, and Mukhim missed a close-range header shortly after.
Early in the second half, Shillong Lajong almost extended their lead, but Buam's shot was saved by Lyngdoh, and Tremiki Lamurong's follow-up lacked the necessary power.
Langsning responded quickly, with Mukhim heading home from close range in the 49th minute after a well-placed delivery from Sangma, reducing the deficit.
This goal shifted the momentum, with Langsning pushing for an equalizer while Shillong Lajong found themselves defending more. The pressure paid off in the 63rd minute when Mukhim set up Wadajied, who leveled the score with a powerful header.
Shillong Lajong sought to regain the lead, with Buam creating an opening in the box in the 69th minute, but his cutback was blocked by Lyngdoh. Both teams continued to exchange chances in an increasingly open match.
The breakthrough for Shillong Lajong came in the 83rd minute with a well-executed team goal. Captain Kenstar Kharshong's cross found Sana unmarked at the far post, and his header restored the lead.
Langsning, however, was not finished. In the first minute of stoppage time, a short corner led to a cross that Shillong Lajong failed to clear, allowing Ahmed to head in the equalizer and complete a remarkable comeback.
No further goals were scored as Shillong Lajong held on for the draw, securing their position at the top of Group E, while Langsning's efforts for a winning goal ultimately fell short.