Shillong Lajong outplays Gokulam FC

Shillong Lajong FC continued its impressive run on the road, outplaying Gokulam Kerala FC 2-0 in an IFL fifth-round match at the Payyanad Stadium here on Friday.

Everbrightson Sana and Treimiki Lamurong scored a goal each as Lajong dominated its Gokulam, which looked a pale shadow of the side that beat Dempo SC at home. Lajong now has the same number of points (10) as Sreenidi Deccan FC and Diamond Harbour FC but lies third in the table while Gokulam slipped to eighth following the defeat.

The early warning sign for Gokulam came in the 17th minute when Phrangki Buam and Everbrightson exchanged passes to enter the box but the latter shot wide from close range. Buam and Everbrightson tormented the Gokulam defence with their pace, while goalkeeper Shibin Raj was up to the task at the start.

However, Everbrightson proved too quick for Shibin Raj in the 36th minute as his opportunistic goal put Lajong ahead. Gokulam lacked conviction in its attacks and most of its moves fizzled out near the opposition box as Lajong goalkeeper Siwel Rymbai was hardly tested in the first half.

The trend continued in the second period and the visitor extended its lead in the 65th minute. Treimiki Lamurong peeled away from his markers to chip the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper after Damit Lyngdoh laid it to him. Thereafter, Lajong played percentage football to notch up the win.

The result: Gokulam Kerala FC 0 lost to Shillong Lajong FC (Everbrightson Sana 36, Treimiki Lamurong 65).