I-League: Royal Wahingdoh Beat Shillong Lajong FC in North-Eastern Derby

Meghalaya's I-League debutant Royal Wahingdoh came from behind to beat long-time local rivals and host Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 in North-Eastern derby of the I-League football tournament, here on Sunday.

Boithang Haokip made no mistake in converting a free kick from 40 yards with a curling shot in the 14th minute of the match.

A Lajong defensive lapse let Jackichand Singh nearly equalize from a Seitya Singh cross at the near post six minutes later.

From then on, the hosts were found wanting and their star goalkeeper Rehenesh Singh, who did well in the recently concluded Hero ISL campaign, was busy foiling several Wahingdoh raids.

Upping their ante, Wahingdoh found the equalizer three minutes before the break through Bekay Bewar. The Liberian striker stunned the host and its fan when his long ranger found the back of Lajong net.

Returning from the break, the lightning fast Jackichand's cross found Seityasen Singh within the box, who made no mistake in netting it from just under the top bar.

Sensing trouble, Lajong's manager Thangboi Singto pumped in Cornell Glen and Assam's striker Durga Boro and their induction made an impact right away.

In the 64th minutes, Glen missed the net by a whisker when Boithang cut in with a beautiful cross. Five minutes later, Semilen Doungel missed two chances to create magic for his side.

The Manipuri's first chance came from a ball let off by Glen but failed to convert with just the keeper Nikhil Bernard to beat. Two minutes later, he let off another cross from Glen allowing the ball to glide past the right post leaving Thangboi fuming.

Boithang's effort to equalize went off in vain again in the 78th minute when his free kick went a little wide.