Shillong: Prabhsukhan Gill’s heroics went in vain as Indian Arrows succumbed to a third straight defeat losing 0-1 to Shillong Lajong, after Abdoulaye Koffi’s 80th minute strike had given the home side an important lead going into the final moments.
Much was said of the 17 year-old’s failure to step into Dheeraj Singh’s shoes, after the latter had left for foreign pastures. But Gill proved that he was a force to be reckoned with, making some impressive saves to keep ‘The Reds’ at bay, until Koffi’s strike sealed the deal for Lajong.
Making a brilliant run into the Arrows box, the Ivorian took a brilliant turn that left defender Jitendra Singh wrong-footed before unleashing a powerful strike into the roof of the net that beat Gill, after a hiatus of 80 odd minutes.
The goalkeeper had stood still till then, blocking shots one after another including a penalty, that seemed enough to give the visitors a vital away point. Beginning with a block of Hardy Cliff’s header in the opening 10 minutes the Punjab born player jumped accurately to his left to prevent Samuel Lalmuanpuia’s spot-kick from going in.
It was after Deepak Tangri had handled the ball inside the box did Lajong earn a penalty, but failed to beat Arrows’ last string of resistance despite repeated tries.
The home side had began with an attacking intent, direct in their approach against a side that looked miles apart from the same team that had Lajong them 3-0, 13 night ago.
Matos had made seven changes from the team that lost 1-2 to Neroca the ealier week, with only the goalkeeper and defender Jitendra Singh retaining their place at the back. But the decision backfired as Lajong constantly threatened the Arrows’ defence they culminated with Koffi’s bullet late into the match.
The visitors on their part failed to create any proper chances more because of Lajong’s relentlessness that kept them on their own half for most part of the game. They however remained eight with just seven points as Lajong displaced Mohun Bagan to jump fourth with 14 points from nine fixtures, one more than the Mariners.