I-League 2018-19 Scout Report: Round 1

Goal picks out some impressive performances from Round 1 of the I-League 2018-19 season...

Naorem Mahesh Singh was an unknown name until Shillong Lajong's first I-League game against Aizawl. But two goals against the former I-League champions Aizawl FC have catapulted the 19-year-old to the national stage.

Few expected that an all-Indian Shillong Lajong side will snatch three points from Aizawl FC. But right from the onset, Alison Kharsyntiew's men were on the charge as they raided Aizawl's defence with menace and purpose. Two-full backs Novin Gurung and Rakesh Pradhan surged forward at every given opportunity and it is no surprise that the two full-backs were the assist providers for the two goals scored.

Mahesh's first goal was a screamer where he took his first touch with his weaker right foot to bring it on to his favourite left which wrong-footed Lalrinchhana Tochhawng. With the goal in sight, the Manipuri striker did not think twice to wrap his laces around the ball. His shot dipped and curled in perfect measure to find the top corner so that even an outstretched Gurpreet Singh cannot get his hands to it. It was a world-class effort taken with inexplicable finesse.

Gurung should also get his fair share of praise as he showed excellent control to bring down a long hopeful ball from Aibanbha Dohling in defence. He used his shoulder to make the first touch and bring it down before passing onto Mahesh who was yet to be closed down by Tochhawng.

If Pradhan was the architect for the second goal it was Mahesh who provided the finishing touches of an artist. The left-back swung in a perfectly weighted cross in the space between the defenders and Gurpreet. The former Royal Wahingdoh striker showed poacher's instinct to get to the cross and guide it gently past the shot-stopper.

If Mahesh lit up Shillong with his left-footed stunner then it was another 19-year-old who won hearts in Kolkata with his goal-line save against NEROCA. Things could have panned out differently for the Red and Golds if NEROCA had found the equaliser on the 22nd minute as it was Manuel Retamero's men who were dictating terms at that point.

A cross from Subash Singh was feebly punched by Rakshit Dagar and it fell for Malemnganba Meitei who pulled the trigger at first instance. But East Bengal's left-back Manoj Mohammad stood his ground and made a goal-line clearance to maintain the slender one-goal lead. At the same time, he was also instrumental in East Bengal's opener as Aryn Williams misjudged the flight of his long-throw in which led to a faulty defensive header and Enrique Esqueda did the rest.

He is a product of East Bengal's youth set-up who was promoted to the senior team this season before the Calcutta Football League (CFL).

Throughout the match, he kept a tight check on Meitei on the right and was not afraid to put his body on the line to prevent the winger from crossing on numerous occasions. Credit must be given to Menendez as well who kept faith in a youngster in Manoj and chose to keep India international Salam Ranjan Singh on the bench. Although the youngster prefers to play as a centre-back he was not ill-at-ease in his I-League debut and that too in a high intensity away fixture.

Gokulam Kerala's Rajesh S is another player who has come into prominence after putting in an impressive shift against Mohun Bagan. The striker perfectly fitted the definition of an impact sub who changed the complexion of his game in his team's favour.

He played a vital part in Gokulam's equaliser as he stood his ground in front of Sankar Roy and thwarted him to make a stronger punch to the ball. That half-hearted clearance by Roy fell for Arjun Jayaraj who headed towards goal and then a defensive misunderstanding between Eze Kingsley and Lalchhawnkima led to the leveller.

The battle was not over as he would come again to test Roy and this time with a volley from yards outside the penalty box which was destined to bulge the net until the goalkeeper managed to get a finger-tip to it. He looked on song as he troubled Lalchhawnkima with his excellent positioning and darting runs inside the box as he turned up to be the perfect target-man for the wingers to aim at.

On the 89th minute, it was another brilliant save from Roy which denied Rajesh from getting on the score-sheet after he was set up by Pritam inside the penalty box.

Sankar Roy also deserves special mention as he was outstanding under the sticks for Mohun Bagan. He showed his potential in the CFL and is blooming at the national level as well. The 23-year old keeper showed excellent anticipation while coming out of his line to narrow down Antonio German's angle which forced the striker to shoot straight at Roy. If the keeper continues this level of performance in the next few games club captain Shilton Paul will have a tough time to get back the gloves.