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A brace from Japanese recruit Sho Kamimura helped Shillong Lajong FC hold Air India in the round 18 match of I-League played here at JN Sports Complex on Monday (January 28). The 27-year-old’s equalizer moments before the final whistle earned the team from north-east a point as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
It was Airmen who took the lead in the 16th minute when Henry Ezeh neatly headed a Rahul Bheke throw-in into the net. The homes side custodian Lalthuammawia Ralte got no time to react and was left completely stranded.
In the 37th minute, Sho brought Lajong back in the game as he scored off a volley form inside the box. It was the Airman who had dominated the proceedings and were taken aback by the goal.
Air India regrouped after the lemon break and kept pressure on the home team. Finally, in the 64th minute, Prakash Thorat scored off a Gangndeep Singh cross.
In the 81st minute, they came close to scoring their third goal. EO Junior’s shot beat goalkeeper Ralte but bounced off the inner edge of the bar.
In the added minute of seven minute Kamimura, who was later adjusted Man-of-the-Match, came to the rescue of Lajong. With the draw Lajong now have16 points where as Air India have 15.
