Shillong Lajong FC emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Shillong Derby against Rangdajied United FC, securing a 3-1 win in the Durand Cup 2025. The match, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday, saw Lajong continue their winning streak in the tournament.
The first half of the derby was tightly contested, with both teams displaying a cautious approach. However, Shillong Lajong managed to break the deadlock in injury time, with Everbrightson Sana finding the back of the net right before the half-time whistle. Rangdajied United responded in the 58th minute with a powerful header from Meban Kurkalang, leveling the score.
Shillong Lajong quickly regained the lead with a stunning strike from Damait Lyngdoh in the 66th minute, who fired a screamer from outside the box. Gladdy Kharbuli sealed the victory for the Red Dragons with an impressive free-kick in the 80th minute, extending their lead to 3-1.
Lajong's head coach, Birendra Thapa, emphasized the importance of every match, acknowledging Rangdajied's strength and talent. He believed that a win would significantly boost their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
In their previous match, Shillong Lajong displayed their attacking prowess by thrashing Malaysian Armed Forces 6-0, with Phrangki Buam and Everbrightson Sana each scoring twice. Treimiki Lamurong and Deibormamae Tongper also contributed to the goal fest.
Rangdajied United, who finished third in the Shillong Premier League (SPL), were determined to outperform their city rivals in this Durand Cup encounter. However, they had suffered multiple defeats against Lajong in the past, including a 2-0 loss in the previous year's Durand Cup and two losses in the SPL.
The victory against Rangdajied United marks Shillong Lajong's second win in the Durand Cup 2025, further solidifying their position in Group E. Last year, Shillong Lajong reached the semi-finals, where they were defeated by the eventual champions, NorthEast United FC.
The match between Shillong Lajong and Rangdajied United kicked off at 7:00 PM IST and was broadcasted on the Sony LIV app and website. Football fans in Shillong and across the country eagerly awaited this derby clash, and Shillong Lajong did not disappoint, delivering a dominant performance to secure the win.
