Shillong, March 5: Shillong Lajong FC again proved to be an uphill task for East Bengal as they held the Red and Gold to a 2-2 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong and left the Kolkata outfit's title hopes in jeopardy.
Dudu Omegbemi (20th minute, 87th) continued to showcase his imperious goal-scoring form but he could salvage only a point from the jaws of defeat after Aiban (49th) and Samuel (69th) struck twice in the second-half.
The first half started off on a good pace. It could be clearly seen that East Bengal were more cautious in their approach as they dominated possession in the first 10 minutes of play.
Checked in to the JN Stadium for the final battle of the season!
— Shillong Lajong FC (@lajongfc) March 5, 2018
COME ON LAJONG!#LAJvKEB pic.twitter.com/1EGW6iMjAs
Just as Lajong were starting to hold their own against East Bengal, they received a big blow in the form of a 20th-minute goal by East Bengal's Dudu Omagbemi, who pulled off an amazing header past the Lajong goalkeeper Nidhin Lal after an assist by Lalramchullova.
With renewed confidence, the visitors pressured the hosts with more intent, which ironically made the hosts more cautious and composed at the back.
Lajong's best chance to score the equalizer came in the 36th minute when Samuel Lalmuanpuia managed to get past East Bengal's defence only to see his swivelling shot from outside the box kissing the top of the woodwork.
East Bengal bottles it as Lajong holds them for a 2-2 draw in Shillong.#Indianfootball #LAJvKEB
— football news india (@fni) March 5, 2018
The second half started with an early goal attempt by Lajong's Koffi in the 46th minute. Though Koffi was in a good position to score an equalizer, the ball went wide from its intended target.
However, Lajong's equalizer came in the 49th minute when Aibanbha Kupar Dohling headed a curling free-kick by Samuel Lalmuanpuia home.
Two minutes after introducing Jobby Justin, the visitors suffered another mighty blow when the referee awarded a spot-kick as Mehtab Singh brought down Samuel inside the box.
Some pushing and shoving started in the stands in Shillong, interestingly it didn't involve any #Lajong fans. Police intervenes before it gets any dirty between #MB and #KEB fans. And all I hear now is, khankir chele mohun bagan and chah chini dudhe..#IndianFootball #LAJvKEB
— Arindam Sarmah (@iaintafreakshow) March 5, 2018
The youngster calmly hurled the second blow on the Red & Golds from the spot-kick in the 69th minute.
As the game passed the 80th-minute mark, it looked as though Shillong Lajong were going to pull off an inevitable win to stay out Red & Gold's title hope but their Nigerian striker Dudu had something else in his mind.
Dudu Omagbemi turned the tables on the hosts in the 87th minute with an incredible header after intercepting Kromah's cross much to the delight of the visiting team who finally, could breathe a sigh of relief.
Lajong had a golden opportunity to score during stoppage time but Koffi delivered a pathetic shot, which went right past the goal.
With the title race left open until the final day of the league, March 8, East Bengal will now get back to their den to host second-placed NEROCA FC. Meanwhile, Minerva Punjab FC will lock their horns with Churchill Brothers FC Goa and Gokulam Kerala FC will host Mohun Bagan at the same time.
Match result: Shilong Lajong FC 2 (Aibanbha Kupar Dohling 49, Samuel Lalmuanpuia 69 pen) drew with East Bengal 2 (Dudu Omagbemi 20, 87)
Source: AIFF Media