Shillong Lajong trounce ANMA in under-19 I-League match

Jamshedpur: Shillong Lajong trounced AIFF Navi Mumbai Academy (ANMA) 2-1 in a closely contested round- four encounter of the Under-19 I-League tournament at JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Sunday. Forward Nim Dorjee`s powerful header put Lajong into the lead in the 16th minute of the match, during which both the teams made frequent attacks. ANMA, which had staged an upset defeating strong contender East Bengal 3-2 in the previous match on Friday, restored parity in the 34th minute when Vidyananda converted a spot kick awarded for handball committed by a rival team member. Locked 1-1 at breather, both teams struggled hard to surge ahead after play resumed. They succeeded in making some forays, but lacked the finishing touch. Amid attacks and counter-attacks, Shillong Lajong`s mid-fielder Rupert Nongrum received a measured pass and placed the ball into the net in the 76th minute to seal ANMA`s fate. Earlier, ANMA had beaten Hindustan FC 2-1 in round one, lost to Tata Football Academy (TFA) 1-4 in round two and defeated East Bengal 3-2 in round three, whereas Shillong Lajong lost to Sesa Goa 1-2 in round one, defeated Hindustan FC 5-1 in round two and lost to TFA 1-2 in round three.