The ongoing AFC Cup semi-finalists East Bengal finally breached the Shillong barrier by a 4-0 goal deficit, blanking out hosts Shillong Lajong FC to register their first win in as many matches of the 2013-14 Airtel I-League campaign on Wednesday.
The Red & Gold brigade blitzed off their blocks and created their first chance of the match when James Moga forced a save by Vinay Singh in the 9th minute. Thereafter, the visitors piled on the pressure and were finally rewarded in the 20th minute when Moga nodded in past Vinay to open East Bengal’s account. Lajong responded almost instantly with a Subhash Singh scorcher, which flew over the crossbar. It was East Bengal though who once again found the net through Chidi Edeh who latched on to a perfect pass from the wing to double the lead for his team. Falopa then replaced the injured Vashum with Malsawtluanga in the 43rd minute. That brought the first half to a close, with East Bengal clearly looking the more dangerous on the break.
Crossing over, the Reds tried to pull back into the game, but in form Moga put the game beyond doubt when Calvin Lobo curled a beautiful ball past Vinay Singh into the far post to silenced the home crowd.
Man of the match Moga then completed the formalities with another sublime finish past the Lajong custodian to make it 4 for the day, in the 61st minute, to resign the Reds to their first loss to East Bengal at Shillong.
Thangboi then brought on tuboi for Uilliams, lalramluaha for Milan Singh, and Samuel for Glen as the match ticked its way into the final whistle. The whistle finally sounded, even as the AFC Cup semi-finalists celebrated their deserved away win over Shillong Lajong by a convincing 4-0 margin.