Thaindian News

Shillong, Jan 22 (IANS) Dempo Sports Club came from behind to beat Shillong Lajong 2-1 in the I-League football competition at the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex here Sunday. Dempo thus regained the top position with 36 points from 16 matches while Shillong Lajong stay at 17 points from 16 outings.

It was the hosts who had majority of the ball possession in both halves but lacked the finishing upfront and failed to convert the chances that came their way.

In the 16th minute, Seikhohau Tuboi’s throw found the feet of Matthew Osvaldo Mayora in front of the goal mouth, but the forward, playing his first match was caught dreaming as he did not made an attempt to place the ball into the goal and let it go out of the touch line.

The scoreline remained 0-0 till the breather.

Changing over, both teams kept trying without any success. It was only in the 81st minute of the game that Lajong broke the deadlock when Tuboi headed home from a Rennedy Singh corner.

Lajong’s joy was short lived when Ranti Martin’s well measured shot from the midfield, found the back of the net in the 88th minute.

Two minutes later referee S.S. Panda of Orissa awarded a spot kick in favour of the Goan side after he caught Wailadmi Passah handling the ball in the penalty area. Taking the shot Ranti, who was later declared Man of the Match, made no mistake to give his side the winner.