I-League: ONGC holds Shillong Lajong FC 1-1

ONGC came from behind to hold Shillong Lajong FC 1-1 in their 23rd I-League encounter played under floodlights at a packed J N Stadium here.

Taking advantage of the home support, Lajong who is under relegation threat, took to the ground intimidating their opponent right from the first whistle of the match.

Blackburn forward, who played on loan for Lajong, Edinho Junior, almost found a net in the very first minute of the game had it not been blocked by ONGC Odeola. Keeping up the tempo of the game he surely had the ONGC defenders on their toes every time the ball was under his possession.

In keeping with their bold ball possession, Lajong's Sushil Kumar found the back of the net in the 17th minute putting his team on the lead until the lemon break.

Returning from the break, Santosh Gashyap changed his team's tactic and made few changes that changed the game altogether.

David Lalrunmuana took an impressive shot from outside the box in the 17th minute leveling the visitors' scoreline.

From then on, it was ONGC who controlled the rest of the match.

While Lajong's coach Thangboi Singto would have been a happier man with a three points but he had to be contented with sharing a point each.

ONGC Robin Gurung was adjudged as the man of the match for exemplary performance and contribution during the match.

After Sunday's match, ONGC is placed at number 7 in the I-league table with 30 points while hosts Lajong remained at number 12 spot with 22 points, seven points ahead of table bottom Sikkim United.