Shillong Embraces Football Fiesta as Lajong Register Win at The JN Stadium

Shillong Embraces Football Fiesta as Lajong Register Win at The JN Stadium

A festive mood was in display at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday as the 133rd edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup commenced in the football loving city. Home club Shillong Lajong FC returned to the stadium after five years and registered a 1-0  win against Tribhuvan Army FC of Nepal to begin their 2024-25 season.

Shillong Lajong last played at the JN Stadium on the 8th of March 2019 when they suffered a narrow defeat against Mohun Bagan in the I-League. Five years later, there were three names which remained the same who started on The Reds’ opening encounter of the Durand Cup – Captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri, PhrangkiBuam and KynsailangKhongsit. Hardy led his side out on a packed Friday afternoon and took time to thank the fans across the stands after securing the three points.

The Lajong Faithfuls on the other hand were in numbers to support their favourite team in action in their first competitive game of the season and were not let down by their own. A regular at Lajong’s home games for several years, Godwin reminisced about the time when Shillong Lajong was playing every week at the JN Stadium in I-League. “Watching Lajong play at the JN Stadium brings back great memories of the good old days when we used to see the top clubs from Kolkata, Goa, and across India come and play in our backyard. It has been and it will always be a great pride for us Faithfuls to support our own Shillong Lajong at the JN Stadium”

Shillong is one of the two new hosts added in the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup. “In a city with football culture, it’s an amazing feeling to witness the Durand Cup being hosted in Shillong. Having such a historic and prestigious tournament here allows the fans to watch our local players play against the ISL clubs as well as foreign clubs. The organizers have done an excellent job to expand the tournament to different new cities and engage more youth in this beautiful game,” said Riewdondor, another Lajong Faithful, who has always made sure not to miss an opportunity to see his favourite side play.

The newly renovated stadium also saw many schoolchildren turn up to watch the footballing action. For 11-year-old Kitboklang, it was a first time experience to watch a foreign team play. “All thanks to the Durand Cup, that I got to watch a foreign team play against Lajong today. It was also the first time for me that I have seen so many people cheering and watching football together,” he said after cheering off his local team for their first win.