By I-League Media

SHILLONG: Salgaocar FC were dealt another blow today as they crumbled to their fourth defeat on the trot going down 0-1 to hosts Shillong Lajong FC at the JN Stadium here.

It was the sheer brilliance of Brazilian Fabio Pena who struck gold for the hosts right after the second half (48′) but Salgaocar would rather blame themselves for the defeat for they squandered, at least, three genuine chances to make changes in the scoreboard.

In the end, it was a well-deserved win for the hosts who put up a more concerted and a team effort today to register their first win of the current I-League season.

Earlier, both sides had their share of chances in the first half. The Royal Wahingdoh pair of Jackichand Singh and Seityasen Singh were into the business early with both working in tandem to put pressure on the Reds. The duo created a chance as early as the 6th minute but Seitya was unable to register a perfect finish with his frail header going wide on the right.

The first real chance of the game came Salgaocar’s way in the 10th minute when Duffy made a mess of a good ball upfront. With only Vishal Kaith to beat Duffy chose to go for a lofted shot from close range which landed on the top of the nets.

Lajong had a chance to convert 10 minutes later when a Fabio Pena shot went wide on the left.

At the stroke of half hour, Salgaocar threatened again. This time a Saran Singh cross from the edge on the left went just wide of the net on far right.

Crossing over, Lajong went ahead even before their unsuspecting rivals could settle down. Fed well at goal mouth a brilliant Fabio Pena sent in a fir right footer as he lay almost flat sideways to get Lajong their first goal of the I-League this season.

Salgaocar missed  a great chance to equalise when Jacki set up Duffy brilliantly upfront. The latter only needed to get a deft touch to the ball inside the box but was unable to reach for it.

However, the best chance of the day went begging for Salgaocar when a Gilbert Oliveira shit hit the post in the 70th minute.

It was all over for Salgaocar from here on as Lajong looked to consolidate their lead and almost succeeded in doing so with a 90+ min strike by Fabio which was brilliantly denied by a diving Karanjit Singh.

At the end of the tie, Lajong moved to 4 points from three matches while Salgaocar are yet to open their account.