Shillong, August 8: Shillong Lajong FC continued their impressive start to the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over Mumbay FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Saturday, strengthening their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
Everbrightson Sana starred with a brace, scoring in the 52nd and 64th minutes, while Abhay Gurung (45+1’), Tremiki Lamurong (45+3’) and Figo Syndai (88’) also found the net for the home side.
The victory took Shillong Lajong to the top of Group E with six points from two matches, having won both their opening fixtures. Langsning FC are second with four points, Nongkseh SS&CC third with one point, while Mumbay FC remain at the bottom without a point from two matches.
Shillong Lajong dominated proceedings from the early stages, with Phrangki Buam and Jota repeatedly troubling the Mumbay defence from the flanks. Arthur Pangaro and captain Kenstar Kharshong also had opportunities from set pieces, while Mumbay struggled to create meaningful chances against Lajong’s high-pressure approach.
Mumbay goalkeeper Yasheel Manish Shah was forced into several saves, including efforts from Sana and Pangaro, as Lajong continued to pile on the pressure.
The breakthrough finally came in first-half stoppage time, shortly after Mumbay captain Ahmed Faiz Khan was stretchered off with an ankle injury. Joedson Dos Santos delivered a free kick that Sana headed towards goal. Yasheel made the initial save, but Abhay Gurung reacted quickest to score from the rebound in the 45+1st minute.
Barely 90 seconds later, Tremiki Lamurong doubled the advantage, controlling the ball inside the penalty area before beating his marker and calmly finishing past the goalkeeper.
Lajong maintained their dominance after the break and added a third in the 52nd minute. Tremiki turned provider, splitting the Mumbay defence with a pass for Everbrightson Sana, who fired a first-time finish into the top corner.
Sana struck again in the 64th minute after capitalising on a mistake by Dhruvmil Pandya. He drove into the penalty area and finished clinically to make it 4-0.
Despite further saves from Yasheel, Mumbay could not prevent Lajong from adding a fifth. In the 88th minute, substitute Manbhakupar Iawphniaw sent in a cross from the left and, after Mumbay failed to clear the danger, Figo Syndai headed home to complete the 5-0 rout.
The emphatic victory maintained Shillong Lajong’s perfect start to the tournament and placed them firmly at the summit of Group E, while Mumbay FC remain in search of their first points of the campaign.
