Shillong Lajong, along with their 1-0 win over Royal Wahingdoh, have Churchill Brothers to thank for as they qualified for the semifinals of the Federation Cup.
At the Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex in Balewadi on Wednesday, the 1-0 scoreline, in the group B match, by Lajong was not enough for them to remain in contention. To qualify for the semis, they had to wait for the result of match between Churchill Brothers and Mohun Bagan.
A win over Bagan could have sent Churchill into the semifinals, but they drew the match 2-2 and cleared the deck for Lajong to make the cut.
In an all north-east battle, Royal Wahingdoh, a second division team went down fighting to Shillong Lajong and ended their splendid run in this championship.
John Menyongar nodded home a cross from Eugenson Lyngdoh off a free kick from 25 yards. It was just Lyngdoh of Lajong among the four Royal defenders, although he was quite short compared to the defenders, he went airborne to score a goal, which eventually turned out to be the winner.
Though Royal’s coach Carlton Chapman looked disappointed after the defeat, he said that he was happy for his team and their wins against big guns Mohun Bagan and Churchill has boosted the morale of his boys.
“It was a great experience for the boys and I am sure they will make use of this championship to build a better team in their 2nd division I-league. We are now looking at the 2nd division I-league and want to make the cut next season,” said Chapman.
Lajong coach was upset with the way his boys played. “They were playing a second division team, this is very bad. I feel they do not deserve to play in the semifinals of Federation Cup,” said Pradyum Reddy.
