SHILLONG, AUG 13 (NPN): Shillong Lajong FC secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Langsning FC in their final Group E fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday.
The result saw Shillong Lajong finish top of Group E with seven points, while Langsning ended their campaign second with five points. East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC also advanced as the two best second-placed teams on superior goal difference.
Brazilian attacker João Vitor de Paula Morais, popularly known as Jota, scored twice for Lajong in the first half, while Everbrighton Sana added the third in the 83rd minute.
Langsning mounted a strong comeback through Kyrmenskhem Mukhim in the 49th minute, Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem in the 63rd and Syed Ahmed deep into stoppage time.
Lajong took the lead in the 26th minute after a defensive error allowed Jota to break into the box and finish calmly. Four minutes later, Jota doubled the advantage after Sana’s clever backheel released him.
Langsning reduced the deficit through Mukhim, who headed home from close range following Chusrang Sangma’s delivery. Wadajied then levelled in the 63rd minute with a powerful header from Denelson Pyngrope’s cross.
Lajong regained the lead seven minutes from full time when Sana headed home Kenstar Kharshong’s cross.
Langsning refused to give up and Ahmed completed the comeback in stoppage time with a header following a short-corner routine.
Lajong held on in the closing minutes to secure the point needed to finish top of the group and book their quarter-final berth.