East Bengal vs Shillong Lajong, Durand Cup 2024: Shillong dances in Lajong Tune as Torch Bearers slump in Darkness

Add as a preferred source on Google

Shillong Lajong secured a famous victory over East Bengal in the Durand Cup 2024 quarterfinal clash on Wednesday (August 21).

Lajong registered a 2-1 win over the Kolkata giants, as goals from Marcos Mudewere Silva and Figo Syndai were enough to script a glittering night for the boys in Red and Shillong as a whole.

The entire city of Shillong had a manifestation, which was to put up a strong show against a mighty club such as East Bengal. On Tuesday, many were saying to MyKhel how proud they are about their progression to the Durand so far, and were optimistic about a strong show.

And the Lajong boys lived up to the billing inside a jam-packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. A total of 14,988 spectators were inside the ground, with around 14,900 cheering their voices out for Lajong.

Shillong Lajong vs East Bengal - The Crowd Chronicles

The crowd started on chanting, singing and they never stopped, just like their 11 gladiators on the field. Lajong made a strong start and got their reward early. A corner was flicked on and Brazilian striker Marcos Mudewere Silva found the net. They kept on pegging East Bengal back and could have doubled their lead.

At the break, it was a lead for the home side and the entire stadium was jumping in joy. The crowd kept on singing, chanting and the roar of the Lajong fans played a massive part in their result. Every free kick was cheered, while any decision going in East Bengal's favour was jeered with boos.

In the second half, East Bengal kept the pressure but Lajong had an attacking threat. Nandhakumar Sekar scored the equalizer for the Kolkata team, but Shillong Lajong came back strongly with the winner from Figo Syndai, who scored after an excellent move from Wadajied Ryngkhlem.

Shillong dance in Lajong Tune

The speciality about the Shillong Lajong fans was that it created a different level of environment. The amount of noise and passion that Lajong fans showed was quite new to any Indian football fan and it gave proper English Premier League vibes after the victory. The entire stadium was dancing to the tunes of 'Waka Waka' and 'Wavin Flag'. The entire crowd was jumping and dancing as delirium struck the Shillong Stadium. The players then joined the fans for a Viking Thunder Clap.

As the fans were leaving from the stadium, a Shillong fan was ecstatic and told MyKhel about their lofty ambitions.

"We [Shillong Lajong] are going to win this Durand Cup. You saw what we did to East Bengal, and we will do that to Northeast United as well," he said.

East Bengal slump in Darkness

It has been another away day blue for East Bengal, which continues from last season. Shillong Lajong, despite being in the I league, found it very easy against a star-studded East Bengal side, which must be a cause for concern for Carles Cuadrat and the East Bengal faithful.

The performance wasn't up to the mark from the Kolkata Giants, who were shell-shocked in front of the Lajong attack and perhaps got a bit startled by the noise at the stadium. Although they have quality players and there is still a long way to go in this season, it is a blow for the Red and Gold brigade who progressed to the final last season. The focus will now shift to ISL for them, but this East Bengal side need rapid improvements.