Lajong drubbed by ONGC

Shillong, Dec. 22: ONGC drubbed Shillong Lajong FC 3-0 in match no 12 of their I-League campaign at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, giving the new coach of the relegation-threatened club, Santosh Kashyap, a perfect start.
Foreigners Yusa Katsumi and Eric Brown did the star turn with the latter bagging the man of the match award for his outstanding display. Brown opened the floodgates for the hosts in the 19th minute, picking up a C Kenistan ball from the left flank to slot home past the diving Lajong custodian.

Katsumi then doubled the lead early on in the second half when he brilliantly dodged past his marker to slam home his first of the match. The Japanese playmaker capped off a good day in office for him by slamming home the third ten minutes from full time. Playing one-two with Brown, Katsumi outfoxed the goalkeeper expertly to seal the lopsided contest.

The visitors had their moments but failed to capitalize on them. In the 13th minute of the match when Lajong had all to play for, Sushil  Kumar drilled a free header wide with the goalkeeper out of his line.

Post match, an elated Kashyap said: “It is a great start under me. We played positive football throughout the match. I hope to continue (in the same vein).”  Thanks to the win, ONGC are now out of the drop zone with 10 points from 12 outings, while Lajong remain eighth with 13 points from 12 encounters. (By Our Reporter)