Shillong: Sporting Clube de Goa came from behind to snatch full points from Shillong Lajong FC at an I-League encounter at the latter's home ground here today witnessed by a 22,000 capacity crowd.
Having earned just one point from two earlier matches, the Ekendra Singh coached side were caught at loose ends in the first half of the game as they were not used to the artificial turfs.
Opening the scorecards for the host, Renedy Singh's cross in the 44th minute found Friday Gbeneme netting with a quick and precise header even as the crowd cheered for their heroes.
Changing their tactics, the Goan side levelled the scoreboard in the 53rd minute through Kalu Ogba silencing the cheering crowd who had poured into the J N Stadium to witness the clash of the two giants.
18 minutes into the second half, Dawson Fernandes sealed the fate of Lajong who had not scored against them in the last four matches they played.
Ekendra said he was compelled to switch tactics thrice depending on where and who controls the ball.
"We changed from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 to 4-5-1 positions which proved just the right way to control Lajong boys who are used to playing long passes," he said at the post match conference.
Disappointed Lajong's coach Desmond Bulpin said his team deserved a draw at least had the boys pulled up their socks to match the Goan.
"Even our warm-up was sloppy. Their mind was not 100 percent at it and I think we looked at the wrong frame of mind," Bulpin reasoned, adding that the quality of the ball in the box was also poor.
Lajong plays Prayag United at home in the coming Sunday, November 4.
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