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In a riveting Group D fixture of the Durand Cup, Ronney Wilson Kharbudon emerged as the hero for Shillong Lajong FC. Overcoming an early setback, his double strike enabled the 10-man team to clinch a 2-1 victory against Downtown Heroes on Sunday at the SAI Stadium.
In an unexpected twist just 10 minutes into the game, Lajong's goalkeeper, Ngamsanglena Haokip, faced a straight red card. Downtown soon capitalized, taking the lead in the 23rd minute due to an unfortunate own goal by Wilson. Nevertheless, demonstrating resilience, Wilson bounced back to net goals in the 36th and 52nd minutes. This seesaw battle concluded Lajong's Durand Cup journey, wrapping up with a tally of three points from three matches.
Although already out of the knockout race, Shillong Lajong FC showcased their indomitable spirit. On the other hand, Downtown Heroes were battling to leave an imprint in the zenith of Indian football.
Lajong signaled their intent early on, with Pursunep's strike thwarted by Downtown's goalie, Paramjit Baghel. However, this sparked a counter-attack that saw Lajong reduced to ten players. Nigerian striker, Ezekeil Oroh, got a clear sight at the goal but was abruptly halted by Haokip outside the penalty box.
Undeterred by the numerical disadvantage, Lajong relentlessly pressed on. By the 16th minute, an excellent cross from Kynsailang Khongsit almost broke the deadlock but was narrowly missed. Subsequent attempts, including Figo Syndai's shot, only grazed the net. However, the breakthrough for Downtown came through an inadvertent own goal by Ronney after a deflection from a free-kick.
The momentum shifted when Lajong orchestrated a brilliant play, culminating in Ronney's header, equating the scores at 1-1. As the teams resumed post-break, Downtown, keen to leverage their extra player, probed for openings. Yet, Lajong's prowess during counter-attacks was evident, with one such move cementing their lead. A free-kick from Captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri found Wilson, whose header outclassed Baghel.
As the game neared its end, Downtown Heroes launched waves of attacks, only to be thwarted by a resilient Lajong defense. Syndai could've sealed the match, but a missed opportunity kept the tension alive. The final whistle heralded a triumphant end for Shillong Lajong FC in the Durand Cup. With the accolade under their belt, their sights are now set on the I-League, marking their return after a recent promotion.
