Both Lajong and DSK played out another 1-1 draw, this time at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong...

Shillong Lajong were held to yet another 1-1 draw this time at home by DSK Shivajians in the first match of the ninth round in the 2015-16 I-League. Aser Dipanda (60') opened the scoring but Boithang Haokip (74') equalised via a freekick.

The home side made three changes to their side. Rupert Nongrum returned alongwith Fabio Pena and Bipin Singh with Robin Gurung, Zoding Ralte and Samuel Lalmuanpuia benched as Thangboi Singto opted for an attack minded 4-4-2.

An injured Subrata Paul was replaced by Prosenjit Ghosh between the sticks for DSK. Three other changes; Shrikanth Molangiri and Rohan Adnaik took over from Milan Singh and Mohammed Sajid Dhot. Indrajeet Chougale was favoured instead of Baljit Sahni upfront.

The visitors were awarded a free-kick in the very first minute. Douhou Pierre’s set-piece attempt only managed to fall into Vishal Kaith’s hands.

Nine minutes into the game, Uilliams had the first real chance of the match. Boithang Haokip’s ball to the Brazilian saw his shot stopped by the stand-in keeper Prosenjit.

Rupert Nongrum’s 12th minute effort possibly would be one of the misses of the season so far. Unmarked and running in from the right, Nongrum was fed outside the box and with ample time to put it inside the net, the youngster hastily shot above the bar.

In a story of squandered chances, Shillong Lajong made ample inroads into the box but failed to convert as Uilliams frittered away two glaring chances. Prosenjit Ghosh came out to save one of the Brazilian’s shots in the 26th minute, diving right to rescue the bottom placed club from going down early.

DSK Shivajians had a couple of opportunities of their own. Indrajeet Chougale, on the half hour mark, had an effort fly over the cross bar. Former Real Madrid youth player Juan Quero’s long ball found Asier Dipanda inside the box. The skipper only managed to head the ball wide off the post, missing yet another chance to go a goal up in the match.

Penn Orji was booked for a needless tackle on Juan Quero in a rather exciting half where both teams had ample chances but lacked the finishing instinct.

Eight minutes after the restart, Indrajeet Chougale was at fault again for wasting another bright chance. Israil Gurung’s delivery was inexplicably smashed the ball over the net from a close range.

Fabio Pena’s header from point blank range was stopped by Prosenjit at goalmouth in the 55th minute. It was Samuel Shadap’s cross after a move initiated by Penn Orji which the Brazilian failed to convert.

DSK Shivajians skipper Aser Dipanda broke the deadlock right at the hour mark. Grazing past his marker inside the box, the Cameroonian headed in the ball down the right side of the goal from a Juan Quero cross. Two minutes later, Derrick Pereira’s men had another chance. Pritam Singh’s clearance came in handy as Quero’s right footed shot was on the right trajectory towards goal.

Former Afghanistan captain Haroon Amiri brought down Penn Orji right on the edge of the box, giving away a freekick from a dangerous spot. Boithang Haokip's free-kick went into the left corner of the net, flying through the wall as he struck with his right foot.

78 minutes into the game, with only the keeper to beat on the volley, Orji's shot went over the bar as he struck with immense force.

Late into injury time, Douhou Pierre attempted to score the winner from close range which missed the target. Derrick Pereira was happy to seal an away point, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of his counterpart Thangboi Singto who could not manage to get more than two points from as many games against DSK in the span of six days.

The North-eastern club stay in fifth position with 11 points as DSK move up a place from the foot with six points.

The Pune outfit have a long lay off as their next match is at home against East Bengal on March 6. Lajong play host to Bengaluru FC next Wednesday.

I-League: Salgaocar FC - Mohun Bagan Preview: In-form Bagan look to keep hold of top spot

The hosts come into this game struggling on the wrong end of the table and will be hoping to put a dent on the Kolkata's side title ambitions...

Salgaocar FC are set to welcome defending champions Mohun Bagan for the second round of I-League fixtures at the Tilak Maidan in Goa. The last time these two sides faced each other, it was the Kolkata side that came out victorious in a high scoring encounter.

The Mariners, who are unbeaten in the league, come into this game on the back of an impressive performance in their AFC Cup encounter against Maziya S&RC. Goals from Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sony Norde and Cornell Glen helped the side from Kolkata register a 5-2 win over their Maldives counterparts.

“A few months back we had a meeting with the players and asked them which is more important - AFC or the I-League? Everyone said both and so they are well aware of the situation and can handle it,” assistant coach Shankarlal Chakraborty said when questioned on which competition would Bagan prioritize.

Bagan have won three of their last five matches and will be hoping to extend their run against a struggling Salgaocar side.

The visitors are without the services of Pronay Halder and Luciano Sobrosa who are suspended for the tie. Sanjay Balmuchu would get the nod to start in central defence alongside Kinshuk Debnath. Raju Gaikwad may once again earn a start despite his horrendous performance in the midweek which led to Bagan conceding twice. Brandon Fernandes is also expected to be in the line-up as an under-22 player.

The Greens find themselves struggling at the bottom of the table, having registered just one victory in eight matches.

Though Darryl Duffy's goal scoring run has given head coach Santosh Kashyap a glimmer of hope but the injury hit side will have to work their socks off in order to get something out from this game.

“My style is attacking football and every game is do-or-die for us unless we get out of the relegation. I am confident that with every practice session, we are improving as individuals and as a team," Kashyap said.

The injury plagued Goan outfit will have to make do without the services of Rocus Lamare. Manandeep Singh is also not fully fit yet and might miss the game as well. Alesh Sawant has recovered and will start as an under-22 player with Pawan Kumar being dropped. Keenan Almeida will once again return to his favoured right-back position.

The two sides have faced each other five times in the I-League with both of them winning twice, and one game ending as a draw.

There have been concerns raised regarding the size of the Tilak Maidan at Vasco, but Chakraborty is confident that his wingers can adjust to the conditions and give their best.

"Sony Norde and Katsumi Yusa know this ground. There is no need to teach them how to play but we have to work on our wing play," he said.

The game will kick-off at 04:30 PM.