Gangtok, Dec 8: The I-League’s first North-East derby didn’t quite live up to the expectation as United Sikkim and Shillong Lajong played out a dull goalless draw at the Palijor Stadium, here, on Saturday (December 8).
The home side, without the presence of club’s principal owner Bhaichung Bhutia, came out determined and created some good chances but was denied by some great saves from Shillong Lajong goalkeeper L Ralte. Central defender Minchol Son also stood our.
Ralte showed fantastic reflexes to deny a fierce header from United Sikkim central defender Sandesh Jhingan in the first half.
In the 36th minute, United Sikkim captain Michael Rodriguez floated in a free-kick from over 40 yards and Jhingan’s shot to it was somehow kept out by Lajong defenders.
Sandesh’s header off the resulting corner produced a spectacular save from Ralte who dived to his right and tipped the ball over the bar.
In response, a corner taken by Lajong was scrambled out by the United Sikkim defenders out of their box but the ball dropped in nicely for Jacob Lalrawngbawla. His first time volley was smartly saved by United Sikkim goalkeeper Monotosh Ghosh.
Early in the second half, Minchol made a last minute slide to block a goal bound shot of DG Attivi. Minchol also did enough to unsettle Nurudeen Salau from tapping in a cross in front of an open net.
United Sikkim, also missing regular captain and central defender Anwar Ali, did not had much headache in dealing with Lajong forwards Friday Gbeneme and Sushil Kumar Singh. The home side coped with the loss of Anwar by teaming up Sandesh with Safar Sadar in central defence and introduced Avishek Das and Syed Farid in the flanks.
Most of the attacks of Lajong came from set pieces but the away side could not find a way through the United Sikkim defence. The pace of the match dropped in the closing stages with both sides falling in defensive positions.
Shillong Lajong coach Des Bulpin commented that the draw was a fair result. “Even big clubs like Dempo, Churchill and East Bengal have found it difficult here and we are satisfied that we are returning back with one point,” he said.
“It was not a satisfactory result for us considering our situation (in the I-League table). We played good and created chances but could not convert. We need three points in home matches”, said United Sikkim manager Arunava Bhattacharya.
United Sikkim entered the field on Saturday without a declared coach. Interim coach Bhaichung Bhutia is away in his native village in Tinkitam, South district to attend the funeral of his father who passed away on Thursday. The new coach, Nathan Hall, arrived Friday evening and would be taking charge from Sunday.- Source AIFF report
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