I-League 2024-25: Strong Defenses Shine in Goalless Standoff Between Shillong Lajong and Gokulam Kerala
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Shillong, Dec 14 (NationPress) The local team, Shillong Lajong FC, faced off against Gokulam Kerala FC in a gripping contest that ended in a goalless draw during the I-League 2024-25 at the SSA Stadium on Saturday.
This match, attended by 3,665 enthusiastic fans, marked Shillong Lajong's third consecutive clean sheet. The point earned allowed them to climb to the fifth position with six points from five matches. Gokulam, on the other hand, recorded their third draw in four games, also standing at six points but positioned sixth due to goal difference.
Despite the absence of goals, both teams opened up significantly in the second half, fervently seeking a breakthrough that remained out of reach despite numerous attempts. Several shots were aimed at each other's goal; while some missed the mark completely, both teams experienced their share of near misses throughout the 90-minute clash. The two goalkeepers were kept quite busy and ultimately emerged unscathed.
The home team, who had previously scored eight goals against Rajasthan United on the same field, found their scoring prowess stifled by a cautious Gokulam defense. Lajong's foreign players, Brazilian Daniel Gonçalves and Spanish Imanol Arana, were active as always but struggled to find space for their plays.
While Lajong aimed to secure their second straight win at home, Gokulam was equally eager for a change in fortunes. The two-time champions are currently facing a challenging season in the league. Following a strong win against Sreenidi in their opener, the Malabarians have struggled, even suffering a defeat at home against Churchill Brothers.
Considering the number of attacks, Gokulam appeared slightly more aggressive but their failure to convert those opportunities proved costly. In added time, Gokulam's Malian recruit, Adama Niane, showcased a brilliant counter-attack but squandered the chance by sending the ball high over the goal when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
