Shillong, August 14: Shillong Lajong FC has secured its place in the quarterfinals of the 135th . The team played an exhilarating 3-3 draw against Langsning FC on Thursday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong during the Group E match.
This result was enough to propel Shillong Lajong to the top of their group with seven points, even though Langsning FC showcased an impressive performance, finishing second in Group E with five points.
João Vitor de Paula Morais (Jota) scored two goals for Shillong Lajong, one before halftime and another after, while Everbrighten Sanaa netted the third goal. Langsning FC made a brave comeback, scoring through Kairmenskhem Mukhim, Wadajid Kinsai Ringkhlem, and Syed Ahmed, with the final goal coming in stoppage time of the second half.
The result also confirmed the quarterfinal spots for East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC as the two best second-placed teams in the tournament due to superior goal difference.
Shillong Lajong made their intentions clear within the first 30 seconds, earning an early free-kick that was dangerously delivered into the box by Frangki Buam, but Langsning managed to clear the threat.
Chances were created on both sides. The deadlock was broken in the 25th minute due to a defensive error. Joedson attempted a line-breaking pass to Jota, which was intercepted by Langsning captain Atlanson Kharmaw, but the ball slipped right into Jota’s path. With space in front of him, Jota entered the box and calmly scored.
Just four minutes later (30′), Shillong Lajong doubled their lead with a truly spectacular goal. Under pressure, Sanaa executed a unique backheel shot to set up Jota, who deceived his marker with a few stepovers and then scored into the far corner.
Langsning did not give up. Despite being two goals down, their attitude remained fully committed, knowing that only a win could secure their spot in the quarterfinals. In the 37th minute, Syed Ahmed forced a brilliant save from the goalkeeper, and four minutes later, Mukhim headed a long throw from Sangma but sent the ball over the bar.
At the start of the second half, Shillong Lajong nearly extended their lead, but Buam’s low shot was saved by Lingdoh, and the follow-up shot from Tremiki Lamurong lacked the power to trouble the goalkeeper.
Langsning responded within two minutes. Receiving a pass from Sangma on the left, Mukhim found space and scored with a close-range header in the 49th minute, halving the deficit.
This goal clearly shifted the momentum of the match; Langsning was pushing for an equalizer while Shillong Lajong began to retreat into their half. The pressure showed in the 63rd minute; Mukhim cleverly left a cross-field pass for Denelson Pingrop, whose cross was met with a brilliant header from Wadajid to level the score.
Shillong Lajong attempted to respond. In the 69th minute, Buam created space in the box after outmaneuvering his marker, but Lingdoh denied his cutback. Both teams continued to create chances, making the match increasingly thrilling. Both sides were eager to win, rather than settle for a single point-though a point would suffice for Shillong Lajong.
Finally, in the 82nd minute, success came in the form of excellent teamwork. Captain Kenstar Kharshong delivered a cross from the left that reached Sanaa at the far post; Sanaa’s header deceived Lingdoh and restored Shillong Lajong’s lead.
Langsning refused to back down. In the first minute of stoppage time, a cross from the right after a short corner was not cleared by the Shillong Lajong defense. Ahmed leaped at the back post to score with a header, completing a memorable comeback to level the match.
No further twists occurred in the match. Shillong Lajong maintained their lead in the final moments and secured a valuable point.