Lajong FC edge past Mumbai

Shillong, Jan 28: Shillong Lajong rode on a double strike from Dipanda Dicka to beat Mumbai FC 3-1 in a fifth I-league round match at the Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.

This was Lajong’s second straight win of the season while Mumbai slumped to their third defeat on the trot.

Dicka gave the home side the breakthrough in the 28th minute and followed it up with another goal three minutes before the half-time break. Later, Chinglensana added a third in the 70th minute to seal the tie for the hosts.

For Mumbai, Karan Sawhney scored the lone goal in the 56th minute.

Mumbai started the proceedings on a positive note, creating several chances in the early moments.

Just when Santosh Kashyap’s boys looked like getting back into the tie with a couple of decent raids on the opposition half, Dicka killed the first half contest with his second strike in the 42nd minute.

Following a Mumbai defensive lapse, Dicka was left alone on the left and went past the advancing goalie to convert with ease.

Mumbai chipped in a goal against the run of play in the second half with super-sub Karan Sawhney converting one from close range.

Hopes of a strong Mumbai comeback was, however, shattered in the 70th minute when Chinglensana netted the third goal for Lajong.

Following the victory, Lajong catapulted to the fifth spot in the league table while Mumbai slipped to sixth. — PTI