I-League 2017/18, Match 87: Shillong Lajong FC vs Kingfisher East Bengal, Player Ratings
The final week of the I-League continued as a crucial encounter took place in Meghalaya where Shillong Lajong hosted title contenders East Bengal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The home side began in the sixth spot in the standings with a total of 21 points from seventeen matches of the season. The visitors from Kolkata started in the fourth spot with 29 points from sixteen matches and had a chance to go atop the standings and boost their title chances.
The two sides played out an eventful 2-2 draw as Shillong Lajong recovered after a first-half goal by Dudu to take a 2-1 lead in the match after Samuel's exploits. Dudu scored again in the 88th minute to level things up in the match. East Bengal still have a chance of winning the I-league but will have to hope for a favourable result from Minerva Punjab's match.
Shillong Lajong FC
Nidhin Lal (7/10) - The Shillong Lajong keeper was kept busy by the away attack and produced a lot of crucial saves in the match and was beaten twice by Dudu from close range. He was awarded the Hero of the Match for his performance between the sticks.
Rakesh Pradhan (6.5/10) - The left-back for the home side was incredibly active on the flank and made a lot of overlapping runs combining well with the attackers.
Oh Joo Ho (6.5/10) - The Korean central defender was up against the threat of Dudu and was busy throughout the match marking the dangerous striker.
Aibanbha Dohling (6.5/10) - The defender was an active presence both in the attack and defence for Lajong as he put in an industrious shift in the middle. He got the first goal for Lajong when he glanced a header from a cross put in by Samuel into the box.
Novin Gurung (6/10) - The winger had a quiet day from his usual standards as he helped out the defence whenever East Bengal attacked. He had a couple of attacking runs as well into the opponent box.
Kenstar Kharshong (6/10) - The young right-back played on the flank for the Lajong side as he moved up and down the wings helping out in both attack and defence.
Odafin Daniel (6.5/10) - The Nigerian midfielder played the defensive cover for the Lajong defence and was strong in his tackles. He had a few long-range efforts on the goal exhibiting his threatening potential for the Meghalaya side.
Redeem Tlang (6/10) - The midfielder played in the central midfield and combined well with Samuel and the attackers to create good chances. He made good runs into the box from the centre and had a couple of efforts on the goal.
Samuel Lalmuanpuia (8/10) - The young midfielder played just behind the attackers and did well to thread in good passes for the strikers. He was the go-to man for freekicks and corners for the home side. He created the goal for Shillong when a freekick into the box was glanced into the net.
Abdoulaye Koffi (6.5/10) - The Ivorian striker played as the target man up front for Lajong as he moved around the box making good runs. He had a lot of efforts on the goal but could not get his name on the scoresheet.
Saihou Jagne (6.5/10) - The Swedish attacker played alongside Koffi in attack as he threatened the East Bengal defence with his physicality and movement.
Substitutes:
Sheen Stevenson Sohktung (3.5/10) - The striker came on to replace Jagne in the final minutes of the match as Lajong made their first change late into the match.