Calcutta: Captain John Menyongar assisted in a goal and scored another from penalty to help Lajong FC defeat Pailan Arrows 2-0 in the 19th round I-League match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday. Australian Matthew Mayora scored the other goal for the Shillong team.

Before the home side could find their feet, Lajong took the lead through Mayora in the seventh minute.

Menyongar made a rippling run on the left, drawing two defenders with him, before pulling it back for an unmarked Mayora in the box.

The Australian did not make any mistake and sent the ball home as Arrows goalkeeper Naveen Kumar remained stranded.

In the space of four minutes, Lajong was awarded a penalty as Arrows’ Pritam Kotal brought down Mayora in the box. Menyongar converted the penalty as Pradyum Reddy’s boys took a two-goal lead inside the first 11 minutes.

Arrows could not recover from the two early setbacks as Lajong took control of the match.

The visitors played numerous passes between themselves and developed their attacks through quick movements on both the wings.

Arrows, on the other hand, relied on counter-attacks and failed to create any openings in the first half.

Realising his side’s frailties, Arrows’ technical director Sukhwinder Singh brought in national striker C.S. Sabeeth at the start of the second session. But the move failed to yield the desired result.

In fact, Lajong could have extended their lead had Naveen not saved a Menyongar header in the 48th minute.

Arrows’ best chance came in the 67th minute when striker Bijendra Rai’s free-kick hit the crossbar.

After the win, Lajong now have 24 points from 19 matches, while Arrows are still on eight points from 17 matches.

Meanwhile, Lajong coach Reddy said that Rennedy Singh, who missed the Sunday’s match to recuperate from a muscle injury, may play the next match against East Bengal, on Saturday at home.

“Rennedy wants to play against East Bengal. He brings a lot of experience on the field, and off the field he is like a mentor for the youngsters,” he said.

Teams

Lajong FC: Soram Poirei, Wailadmi Passah, Lalramluaha, Romenjit Singh, Lallawmzuala, Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Boithang Haokip 65’), Lalnunmawla, Matthew Mayora (Christopher Chizoba 87’), John Menyongar, Sushil Singh (Seikhohao Tuboi 60’), Ronald Zothanzama

Pailan Arrows: Naveen Kumar, Preetam Kotal, Souvik Ghosh, Prathamesh Maulingar, Lalrozama Fanai, Tirthankar Sarkar (C.S. Sabeeth 46’), Gurtej Singh, Sehnaz Singh (Loukik Dilip Jadhav 80’), Jibon Singh, Bijendra Rai, Ajay Singh (Malsawmfela 72’).

Referee: C.R. Srikrishna

MoM: John Menyongar