Lajong blank EB, reach maiden final
Shillong Lajong FC entered the final of the U- 18 Youth League with a 2- 0 win over East Bengal in the second semi- final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Thursday.
A second- half brace by winger Phrangki Buam ( 75’, 86’) proved to be enough to prevent East Bengal from reaching backtoback finals.
Lajong had the better of the early exchanges, but East Bengal gradually got into the game, and when the referee blew for halftime, goalless was a fair reflection of the action on offer.
Lajong looked in the mood from kick- off and East Bengal keeper Ayan Roy was kept busy as he made saves from Donboklang Lyngdoh and Pravaj Bhuiya in the opening 15 minutes, though the Kolkata side had their moments too.
The second half again saw Lajong in the early ascendancy, with a couple of good shots on the East Bangal goal.
Something had to give and it was Lajong who opened the scoring in the 75th minute when Phrangki slotted a brilliant free- kick home, to send the Lajong faithful into wild celebrations. East Bengal had a chance to equalise five minutes later when Jhantu Prasad picked out Lalcchanhima at the far post, but the Mizo striker was denied. In the 86th minute, it was 2- 0 as Phrangki converted a penalty to put his side in a commanding position for the rest of the match. Lajong take on Kerala Blasters in the finale on Saturday.
A second- half brace by winger Phrangki Buam ( 75th minute, 86th) was enough for Shillong Lajong to win