I-League 2 - Round 6: No decisions yet in promotion race

The sixth Round of matches of the 2nd Division I-League 2010/11 were played on May 10/11 in Shillong. The two sides who will get promoted will be decided on the last match day with Shillong Lajong FC having the best chances, while Sporting Clube de Goa, Vasco SC and United Sikkim FC are also in the fray for a place in next years premier division of the I-League, while Ar-Hima FC have slim outside chances.

Round 6 Match by Match Short Review
10-May-2011: Southern Samity 1-0 (0-0) Vasco SC
Vasco SC suffered a major set-back in their quest for promotion when they lost 0-1 to Southern Samity. Though winning their first game Kolkata side are out of the promotion race with only four points from five matches, while Vasco remain on 10 points from six games.
Vasco initially had more of the exchanges, but lost seasoned Remus Gomes due to a red card in the 27th minute, but Southern Samity couldn't take advantage of it as the Goans were determined to get those three points. Things did not change after the break, but the Kolkata side would take a surprise lead in the 71st minute through a Francis Xavier shot. And more was in store with Vasco's Jerose Oliveira also send off in the 79th minute and then Suman Datta of Southern Samity was send off with three minutes to go.

10-May-2011: Royal Wahingdoh FC 2-2 (0-0) Mohammedan Sporting Club
Royal Wahingdoh FC and Mohammedan Sporting Club played out a two-all draw which ended the chances of both sides of promotion. Mohammedan Sporting moved to four points from six matches, while Royal Wahingdoh are now bottom of the league with only two points from five matches.
The more experienced Mohammedan Sporting were the better of the two sides on display, but they couldn't score in the first session. And then Musibau Olenrewaju Adebayo gave Royal Wahingdoh a surprise 73rd minute lead, but only three minutes later Suraj Mondal equalised for the Kolkata giants and Suraj then even gave them an 88th minute lead. It seemed Royal Wahingdoh where beaten but Musibau Olenrewaju Adebayo gave the Shillong side a point with a late minute equaliser.

11-May-2011: Sporting Clube de Goa 3-1 (1-0) Shillong Lajong FC
With their third win in a row Sporting Clube de Goa moved into second spot, this time a 3-1 win against league leaders Shillong Lajong FC to keep the promotion race wide open until the last match day. Shillong Lajong FC stay top of the league with 13 points, while Sporting Clube now have 11 points with both teams having played six matches.
It seems Sporting Clube have found their form at the right time and today they were too good for the local giants. Adil Khan gave the Goans a 27th minute lead which they took into the break and thereafter Mauricio Freeman Peixoto would double the lead in the 48th minute and Portuguese striker Eldon Maquemba made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute. Lajong could only get a consulation goal when P.C. Lahlimthara Mahlima scored in the 71st minute from the spot.

11-May-2011: United Sikkim FC 2-2 (0-2) Ar-Hima FC
United Sikkim FC scored a hard earned two-all draw against Ar-Hima FC to keep their promotion ambitions intact, while Ar-Hima FC have very slim changes left to go through. USFC join Vasco on 10 points from six matches with these two sides meeting in their final game, while Ar-Hima FC moved to eight points from the same number of games.
Initially it was United Sikkim which where looking to score, but against the run of play Ar-Hima's Stephanfiel Lanong would strike twice in the 30th and 36th minute with the match looking to go the Shillong sides way.
United Sikkim coach Stanley Rozario changed his formation after the break as defender Baichung Bhutia was send back into his usual position of striker to strengthen the attack. And it paid off as Baichung would reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute with his good friend and old team mate Renedy Singh, who came on as a substitute, equalising in the 69th minute.