JOIN USShillong Lajong rode on Trinidad World Cupper Cornel Glen’s double strike to script a shock 3-0 defeat of former champions Dempo in their lung opener of the I-League here on Sunday.
Glen scored in the 30th and 67th minutes while Boithang Haokip found the target in the 38th minute for Lajong who came here with a determination to break the jinx of poor record against Goan sides.
Lajong succeeded in breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute when Williams released the ball to Glen who cut past Shimosouka Honda and Colosimo before curling the ball into the top left corner of the Dempo goal.
Eight minutes later, Lajong increased the lead when goalkeeper Subhasish Roychowdhury handled the ball outside the box. Referee Ranjit Bakshi awarded Shillong Lajong a freekick and showed Chowdhury a yellow card.
Boithand Haokip who took the freekick floated the ball which dipped in the right corner with keeper Subhasish remaining stranded in his place.
Dempo, under their new coach Arthur Papas, were looking for a positive start but they failed to get their act together especially in the midfield as there were a lot of miss-passes. They made few forays but their strikers lacked direction in finding the net.
Changing over, the visitors swelled the lead in the 67th minute when captain Son sent a long ball into the Dempo box for Glen who found the net from an acute angle from the right.
United win
Cash-strapped United SC overcame all the off-field hardships as their committed players put up a well-knit effort for a 2-0 win over debutants Rangdajied United FC. Last two season’s top scorer Ranti Martins (65th) gave the lead with a header, while ONGC recruit Eric Brown (75th) struck a stunner after a goalless first-half to give United SC full three points to start the season.
After their title sponsors disappeared in the Bengal financial scam, the Kolkata team failed to woo a new sponsor but the players remained united to their club as they had only 21 days of practice to start the season.