Fed Cup: Jeje nets a hat-trick as Bagan floor Lajong

KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen has insisted right through the season that scoring goals is not a problem for his team. The green and maroons gave a fine demonstration in this respect against Shillong Lajong FC in the first leg of Federation Cup semifinal at the Barasat Stadium on Sunday.
Under pressure for the better part of the first half when Lajong enjoyed a lot of possession, Bagan needed just 16 minutes (spread across two halves) to pump in four goals and change the complexion of the match completely.
Bagan eventually came out 5-0 winners to take a huge step towards the final.
There was no stopping the goalscoring prowess of Jeje Lalpekhlua who showed great striker's instinct to notch up a hat-trick. He has now scored six goals in the Federation Cup in just three matches even as he took his season's tally to 18 (in all competitions). Bikramjit Singh struck the second goal for the hosts with a thunderous left-footer while substitute Azharuddin Mallick rounded off the tally.
Bagan have now scored 12 goals in three matches of the Federation Cup.
Lajong came firing on all cylinders and took the game to Bagan. They used the flanks well to utilize the width of the field with Penn Orji pulling the strings in the midfield. However, they were let down by the lack of enterprise inside the rival box and the final deliveries left a lot to be desired.
Bagan did well to absorb the pressure and, when the opportunity came, they struck. They forged ahead in the 40th minute, courtesy some brilliant work by Sony Norde. Latching on to a ball in the midfield, Sony shook off Samuel Shadap with an outstanding turn , skipped the outstretched leg of Chinglensana Singh before letting one fly that Lajong goalkeeper Vishal Kaith stopped quite acrobatically . But, the ball looped up high and Jeje showed great alertness to stab it home.
The goal was a huge shock for the visitors and, even before they could regroup, they found themselves 2-0 down in the 45th minute. Jeje and Cornell Glen exchanged passes before the latter set-up Bikramjit to finish with a powerful drive that beat Kaith and went in after kissing the horizontal.
Bagan upped the ante in the second session with two more in quick succession.
After a free-kick was cleared in the 51st minute, Sony lobbed a ball over the Lajong defence that Glen followed and chipped over Kaith. The ball was headed towards the goal but Jeje made sure by sliding in and prodding it in.