Shillong Lajong sells equity in NEUFC

SHILLONG, June 19 : I-League outfit Shillong Lajong FC today announced its decision to sell its stake in Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Northeast United FC in order to focus on grassroots and youth development programmes in the region.

Shillong Lajong and NEUFC co-owner John Abraham had entered into a partnership last year to successfully bid for the ISL franchise which played its inaugural season with a base in Guwahati. 14 Shillong Lajong players from the various north-eastern states such as Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Sikkim plied their trade for the ISL side.

Larsing Ming Sawyan, managing director of Shillong Lajong FC said, “Lajong has decided to sell its stake in Northeast United in order to focus on our principal vision of building our youth development programs for the region by creating tangible assets on the ground and inculcate the best of modern practices for youth development.”

He added: “We remain committed to supporting the Indian Super League, IMGR and AIFF and shall continue to release our players for the ISL.”

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Mohun Bagan are the winners of the I-League

Mohun Bagan have won their maiden I-League title, courtesy of their 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC in their final game of the 2014-15 season at the Kanteerva Stadium, Bangalore on Sunday evening.

Ashley Westwood chose to bench Sunil Chhetri and hand a chance to Udanta Singh to be a part of their three pronged attack alongside Sean Rooney and Robin Singh.

Sanjoy Sen roped in Dhanachandra Singh into the first team with Sukhen Dey bring left out.

Udanta’s pace was too much to deal for the Bagan defense as Kingshuk Debnath fouled the former on the edge of the box. However, Rooney’s left footed effort went sailing over the bar in the third minute.

The 18-year-old Manipuri sent in an inch perfect cross from the right but the opportunity went begging as neither Rooney nor Robin were well placed to get to the end of it.

Dhanachandra Singh then created the first chance for the visitors as his cross from inside his own half saw Pierre Boya head it goalwards with Lalchuammawia Ralte collecting it in time.

The play was restricted primarily in the midfield with Bengaluru doing well to close down the likes of Yusa and Norde each time the Bagan duo were on the ball.

The crossbar came to Bengaluru’s rescue in the 40th minute when Shankar Sampingiraj gave away the ball cheaply. Norde’s effort from the edge of the box had Ralte beaten all ends up but the shot came off the crossbar.

The very next minute, Lyngdoh’s header from a Rino Anto cross was deflected out for a corner by Sehnaj Singh.

The breakthrough came in the 41st minute as John Johnson rose highest and buried his header from a Lyngdoh corner-kick into the far post to send the home fans into delirium.

Johnson ensured that the home side kept their lead intact as he made a goal-line clearance in the stoppage time. This was after Norde played a short pass for Yusa who squared it for Balwant who had the entire goal at his mercy. However, his team effort from close range was cleared by Johnson with Norde’s shot on the rebound being blocked.

Just four minutes after the break, Boya failed to hit the target as his shot went over the crossbar after Shouvik Chakraborty did well to carve open the home team’s defense.

After the hour mark, Balwant was free on the right and he pulled it back for the onrushing Yusa who wasn’t able to make a proper contact with Ralte making an easy save.

Bagan failed to show any urgency to score the equalizer as Bengaluru FC did well to close down their opponents. Lyngdoh and Walker ran the show in the midfield as Sehnaj Singh and Shouvik struggled throughout.

Bengaluru FC should have earned a penalty in the 75th minute as Robin Singh was through on goal but Paul came off his line and fouled the striker. However, referee Santhosh Kumar chose to ignore Bengaluru’s appeals.

At the other end, Norde cut inside from the left and slammed his effort which produced an important save from Ralte.

It took 82 minutes for Sen to make his first change he introduced Jeje Lalpekhlua in place of the listless Balwant Singh.

Ralte kept Bengaluru in the tie as he denied Dhanachandra from a Yusa corner-kick. In the following flag-kick by Norde, Bello Rasaq headed home to score the elusive equalizer in the 86th minute.

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