North East Lajong Super Series: Lajong surprise Wellington Phoenix, win Series!

Shillong Lajong FC are champions of the North East Lajong Super Series Cup after scoring a surprise 3-2 upset victory against Australian A-League side Wellington Phoenix from New Zealand in the finals at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong this afternoon.

Wellington Phoenix went into the final infront of a large crowd in Shillong as the overwhelming favourites to win the final after a 3-0 win against United Sikkim FC and a 5-2 against Shillong Lajong FC in the round robin group stage.

The Kiwis had the perfect start as inform striker Jeremy Brockie gave them a 5th minute lead, but complacency allowed Lajong two quick goals within 5 minutes from Gbeneme Friday to turn things around for the local side. It stayed 2-1 for Lajong at the break.

Now it was a battle royale for the title with high voltage and high class football. Wellington Phoenix were not beaten yet as Paul Ifill equalised from the spot in the 63rd minute after a hand-ball from international Govin Singh.

The match seemed heading for extra-time when Boithang Haokip six minutes from time scored the winner for Shillong Lajong FC with their fans erupting in joy then many did not expect Lajong to beat their more mature rivals from Down Under.

North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC 0-3 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC 2-5 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC 3-0 United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1 - Final: Wellington Phoenix FC 2-3 Shillong Lajong FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)

North East Lajong Super Series: Lajong FC reach finals

Shillong Lajong FC beat Northeast rivals United Sikkim FC 3-0 in the third match of the North East Lajong Super Series Cup to reach the finals and will now take on A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand in Shillong on Saturday, September 1.

In a match-up of two I-League sides the more experienced Shillong Lajong FC got the better of United Sikkim FC through three goals from their new Nigerian striker Gbeneme Friday, who has scored all of Lajong's five goals in the series so far.

Lajong were in-charge from the start and went ahead in the 7th minute from a Gbeneme Friday strike, who doubled the lead in the 15th minute through a rebound follow a free-kick. United Sikkim had their problems with Gbeneme Friday and Lajong overall, but it stayed 2-0 for the home team at the break.

After the break United Sikkim were better in the game, but they couldn't score of their few chances while Gbeneme Friday sealed the match for Lajong FC with his third goal of the day.

The final of the series will be played between Wellington Phoenix FC and Shillong Lajong FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong on Saturday, September 1 at 15.15 IST.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC 0-3 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC 2-5 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC 3-0 United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1 - Final: Wellington Phoenix FC - Shillong Lajong FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)

Wellington Phoenix beat Royal Wahingdoh 3-0 in friendly

Australian A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand took on local side Royal Wahingdoh FC in a friendly which Wellington won 3-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong this afternoon. Jeremy Brockie scored all three goals, his second hattrick of the Northeast tour.

After the two wins against United Sikkim FC (3-0) and Shillong Lajong FC (5-2) in the North East Lajong Super Series in Imphal, the Kiwis continued their impressive tour of India by beating Royal Wahingdoh FC 3-0 ahead of the final of the North East Lajong Super Series on Saturday, September against either United Sikkim FC or Shillong Lajong FC.

It was a tough game for the local Shillong Premier League champions, who had their chances; but Wellington were in control throughout the match.

The Kiwis got their goals through Jeremy Brockie who scored in the 29th, 47th and in the second half injury time. Brockie has now scored seven of the eight goals in the last couple of matches.

Tomorrow Shillong Lajong FC take on United Sikkim FC in the North East Lajong Super Series at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Shillong at 15.00 IST. The winner of the match will play the final of the North East Lajong Super Series against Wellington Phoenix FC on Saturday, September 1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 15.15 IST.

Photos: North East Lajong Super Series from Imphal

Yesterday A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand played against Shillong Lajong FC in their second North East Lajong Super Series Cup match at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, Manipur. The Kiwis won 5-2 and here some photos from the match venue.

Here the link to the match report: North East Lajong Super Series: Wellington Phoenix win 5-2 vs Lajong FC .

North East Lajong Super Series: Wellington win 5-2 vs Lajong

A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand won 5-2 in their second North East Lajong Super Series Cup match against Shillong Lajong FC at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, Manipur this afternoon. With this win Wellington have reached the final on September 1 with Shillong Lajong FC and United Sikkim FC to play for the other spot in the final of the three team series.

The Kiwis were once more the better side on display and by half-time they were 2-0 up through two goals from Jeremy Brockie in the 15th and 41st minute. Brockie completed his hattrick in the 62nd minute with his third of the day, but thereafter Wellington slowed things down and allowed Shillong Lajong FC back into the match with two goals from new Nigerian striker Gbeneme Friday in the 74th and 84th minute.

The match was heading for an interesting finale, but Wellington Phoenix sealed their victory by scoring two more goals, Jeremy Brockie's fourth of the day in the 88th minute and Tom Biss with the final goal in the fourth minute of injury time.

The match ended 5-2 for Wellington Phoenix FC, but Shillong Lajong FC never gave-up and it was an enjoyable match for the numerous fans who had come to the venue.

The next match of the series will be between Shillong Lajong FC and United Sikkim FC in Shillong, the first Northeast derby between these two sides as I-League clubs.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC 0-3 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC 2-5 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC - United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1 - Final: Wellington Phoenix FC - SLFC/USFC (Shillong, Meghalaya)

North East Lajong Super Series: Wellington Pheonix win 3-0 against USFC

A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand started-off the North East Lajong Super Series Cup with a 3-0 victory against United Sikkim FC at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, Manipur this afternoon.

Wellington Phoenix FC coached by Ricki Herbert, who also coaches the New Zealand national team, adjusted to the ground conditions very well and dominated most of the midfield play in the first half but could have had more goals had their finishing been a bit sharper. Captain for the day Paul Iffil scored the opening goal with a tap in off a cross before Thomas Doyle scored off a scorching shot from the edge of the box before half-time.

The second half was more competitive with United Sikkim FC holding the midfield well. Michael Boxall scored the third goal off a header in the dying minutes of the match to round off the 3-0 win for Wellington Phoenix FC.

For United Sikkim FC coached by Philippe de Ridder, newly signed Costa Rican Michael Rodriguez playing in the central midfield position had a good match while goalkeeper Tae Yoon from Korea made atleast four good saves.

Shillong Lajong FC are next up for Wellington Phoenix FC on Sunday, August 26 with the kick-Off time being 14.00 IST. Tickets are available at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium as well as from the Classic hotel, Imphal.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC 0-3 Wellington Phoenix (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC - Wellington Phoenix (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC - United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1: FINAL (Shillong, Meghalaya)

North East Lajong Super Series: Wellington Pheonix take on USFC tomorrow

The opening match of the 2012 North East Lajong Super Series between I-League team United Sikkim FC and A-League side Wellington Phoenix from New Zealand will be played tomorrow at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, Manipur. The match will kick-off at 14.00 IST.

The Wellington Phoenix squad had arrived in India in the capital New Delhi and had a reception at their Embassy besides watching the opening match of the 2012 Nehru Cup between India and Syria yesterday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Late this morning they arrived in Imphal for what is most probably the highest profile team to visit the state of Manipur and there is huge interest amongst the locals in their guests from Down Under.

However there are great concerns about the quality of the match pitch, which was rock hard on Thursday evening for the practice session of Wellington Phoenix. The practice session took place amidst tight securty at the stadium with only Police and Clackcat Commandos allowed to enter.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC - Wellington Phoenix (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC - Wellington Phoenix (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC - United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1: FINAL (Shillong, Meghalaya)

VIDEO: Promos of North East Lajong Super Series

JPR Events are organising the North East Lajong Super Series in which I-League sides Shillong Lajong FC and United Sikkim FC will take on A-League side Wellington Phoenix from New Zealand. For the event the organisers have made a series of video promos!

North East Lajong Super Series: No match in Guwahati, shifted to Imphal

The opening match of the 2012 North East Lajong Super Series between United Sikkim FC and A-League side Wellington Phoenix from New Zealand was supposed to be played on Friday, August 24 in Guwahati, but due to the political unrest and sectarian violence in Assam the match has been shifted to the Manipuri capital Imphal.

This now means that Wellington Phoenix will now play both their matches against United Sikkim FC on August 24 and against Shillong Lajong FC on August 26 in Imphal, while the final round robin match between Shillong Lajong FC and United Sikkim FC will be played as scheduled on August 30 in Shillong as would the series final on September 1.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC - Wellington Phoenix (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC - Wellington Phoenix (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC - United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1: FINAL (Shillong, Meghalaya)


Wellington Phoenix squad

Goalkeepers
Glen Moss, Scott Basalaj

Defenders
Andrew Durante, Emmanuel 'Manny' Muscat, Benjamin Sigmund, Luke Rowe, Thomas Doyle, Alec Solomons

Midfielders
Leonadis Bertos, Jeremy Brockie, Cameron Lindsay, Tony Lochhead, Michael Boxall, Justin Gulley, Louis Fenton

Forwards
Paul Ifill, Alex Smith, Benjamin Totori, Thomas Biss, Tyler Boyd

Officials
Ricki Herbert (Head Coach), Jonathan Gould (Goalkeeping Coach), Chris Greenacre (Technique coach), Russel Gray (Team Manager), Wayne Roberts (Physio), David Dome (General Manager)

A-League side Wellington Phoenix to visit Indian Northeast

New Zealand-based Wellington Phoenix FC will be the first Australian A-League team to tour India when they participate in a pre-season cup in the Indian Northeast from August 24 to September 1. The team will be travelling from New Zealand to Weston, New South Wales in Australia to take on A-league rivals Newcastle Jets on August 18 before flying via New Delhi to the Northeast.

In the three team tournament Wellington Phoenix will face I-League sides Shillong Lajong FC and United Sikkim FC as other I-League sides turned down the offer to take part in the tournament, which has been named 'North East Lajong Super Series' and is being organised by JPR Events.

Wellington Phoenix will be led by the Kiwi 2010 FIFA World Cup and club coach Ricki Herbert, who has put together a squad of first team players and juniors. During the tour they will also interact and have coaching workshops with younger players from the region.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC - Wellington Phoenix (Guwahati, Assam)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC - Wellington Phoenix (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC - United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1: FINAL (Shillong, Meghalaya)


Wellington Phoenix squad

Goalkeepers
Glen Moss, Scott Basalaj

Defenders
Andrew Durante, Emmanuel 'Manny' Muscat, Benjamin Sigmund, Luke Rowe, Thomas Doyle, Alec Solomons

Midfielders
Leonadis Bertos, Jeremy Brockie, Cameron Lindsay, Tony Lochhead, Michael Boxall, Justin Gulley, Louis Fenton

Forwards
Paul Ifill, Alex Smith, Benjamin Totori, Thomas Biss, Tyler Boyd

Officials
Ricki Herbert (Head Coach), Jonathan Gould (Goalkeeping Coach), Chris Greenacre (Technique coach), Russel Gray (Team Manager), Wayne Roberts (Physio), David Dome (General Manager)