Boithang Haokip scored off a free kick in the 74th minute to cancel out DSK Shivajians lead and ensure his team's unbeaten run at home this season remains intact. Aser Perrick Dipanda scored for the Pune based club.
Shillong Lajong FC's coach, Thangboi Shingto made three changes in the team Rupert Nongrum, Fabio Pena and Bipin Singh making it to the starting XI, where as Robin Gurung, Zoding Ralte
and Samuel Lalmuanpuia started from the bench.
DSK Shivajians had to play without their first choice goal keeper, Subrata Paul as he is still nursing the injury that he picked up in the previous match. Prosenjit Singh replaced the Indian international between the sticks. Derrick Pereira made three more changes in the team that played against the same opposition a week earlier. Shrikant Molangiri, Rohan Adnaik and Indrajit Chowgale were brought in leaving Milan Singh, Mohammed Sajid Dhot and Baljit Sahni warming the bench.
DSK Shivajians earned a free kick in the 1st minute of the match as Israil Gurung was fouled just outside the box. Perrick Dipanda took the free kick which went straight into the hands of Shillong's keeper, Vishal Kaith.
Shillong Lajong created the first chance of goal in the 9th minute when Boithang slipped through the opposition's defence to feed the ball to Uilliams, who took a shot from close range but a brilliant dive by Prosenjit Singh denied the Brazilian his 3rd goal of the season.
Three minutes later Shillong Lajong's midfielder, Rupert Nongrum received the ball on the right flank just outside the box and had all the time to take an aim and score but squandered the chance as he shot the ball over the nets.
It was one of those days for the Reds of Shillong when they were missing easiest of chances.
In the 17th minute, Fabio Pena found himself unmarked just inside the box but fed from the right he smashed the ball onto the side nets, missing yet another goal for the home team.
In the 17th minute, Fabio Pena found himself unmarked just inside the box but fed from the right he smashed the ball onto the side nets, missing yet another goal for the home team.
DSK Goal Keeper had a busy day at office and made many brilliant saves much to the chagrin of the players as well as fans. In the 22nd minute, Uilliams shot passed two defenders only to be denied by Shivajians custodian who made a timely dive to deny the Brazilian any celebrations.
The Pune based outfit had their first chance at goal in the 30th minute. Indrajit Chowgale took a shot from the right flank but the ball sailed over the cross bar. In the 34th minute, Israil Gurung delivered the ball to a well placed Perrick inside the box but the Cameroonian could only blast it wide of the goal.
The home team had a
couple of chances to score just before the half time but failed to convert any
and both the teams went into the break with no goals at scoreboard.
DSK Shivajians midfielder, Indrajeet Chougale wasn't having the best outing. He missed another sitter in the 53rd minute when Israil Gurung passed him inside the box but he smashed the ball over the nets from a close range.
Shillong Lajong kept on pushing for the first goal of the match. In the 55th minute, Penn Orji's cross found Samuel on the left who lofted it inside the box to Pena whose well timed header was heading for the nets but found Prosenjit Singh on the goal mouth.
It was Aser Perrick Dipanda who gave the the visitors the lead in the 60th minute when he headed home a cross from the Spanish midfielder, Juan Quero, which incidentally is only the 2nd goal the team has scored away from home this season.
Lajong's Coach, Thangboi Shingto made two changes in the 64th minute with Zoding Ralte coming in for Rupert Nongrum and Uilliams Silva coming in for Samuel Lalmuanpuia. DSK coach, Derrick Pereira also made his first change and substituted Indrajeet Chougale and brought in Baljit Sahni.
Shillong continued to push into opposition's box looking for an equaliser. In the 72nd minute, Penn Orji was brought down by former Afghanistan National team captain, Zohib Amiri, just outside the box, earning his team a valuable free kick. Boithang Haokip took the free kick from just outside the box and made no mistake to slot the ball into the opposition's net to restore parity to the scoreboard and sending the home fans into frenzy.
Penn Orji came close to give his side lead in the 78th minute, when he found himself inside the opposition's box with only Prosenjit to beat but smashed the ball which flew pass the wood work. Lajong continued to push forward for the winning goal but none of the attacks were lethal enough to break DSK's defence.
The match ended without further additions to the scorecard with both teams earning one point from the match. Shillong Lajong now occupy 4th position in Hero I-League standing but may lose the spot if Sporting Goa manages to atleast draw their next match against Mumbai FC. DSK Shivajians, on the other hand continue to languish at the bottom of the table with only 6 point off 9 games.
Shillong Lajong FC next match will be against 3rd placed Bengaluru FC at home on 2nd March, where as DSK Shivajians get a break in the 11th
round and will play their next match on 6th March against East Bengal at home.
