Chirag singe Shillong
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A resurrected Chirag United Kerala rose from the relegation zone for the first time in over two months, with a breathtaking 3-2 win against Shillong Lajong SC in the I-League in Kochi on Saturday.
Strikers C. K. Vineeth’s brace and David Sunday’s towering winner helped Chirag snatch 3 points and climb to 11th position on the table, replacing Mumbai FC, which lost to Prayag United 0-3 in Kolkata the same evening.
It was Vineeth, who broke the deadlock after a sluggish start, with a powerful header in the dying moments (46 min) of the first half.
Vineeth, a natural inside player, who was promoted as striker in the absence of Anil Kumar, strode into the near post and headed in Vignesh’s corner.
Lajong equalised through their captain John Menyongar, the short and skillful former Liberian international, who scored in similar fashion from a corner in the 59th min.
However, the home side, who hadn’t won a game in Kochi, bounced back through Sunday, just two minutes later. The Nigerian towered above his marksman to score a header, fed from the deep, into the far right corner of the net.
The momentum shift forced Lajong coach Pradhyum Reddy to substitute an impressive Lalmunmawia with the experienced Renedy Singh in the left wing. Chirag responded by stuffing its ineffective midfield by replacing Suman Dutta with the versatile Pradeep Mohanraj.
As these tactical switches opened up the game, Vineeth completed his double in the 76th minute as a result of an outstanding team play. Vineeth won a ball from deep inside their half and fed Sunday, who made a couple of strides before dribbling away from Lajong custodian Gumpe Rime. Though he fumbled, Sunday managed to tilt it back into the box for Vineeth, who made no mistake. “It was a much awaited win. A great relief for me and the boys,” said Chirag technical director Biswajit Bhatacharya.
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