Rangdajied shake off last minute scare from Royal Wahingdoh

Leaders Rangdajied United FC experienced a few last minute worries before shaking off the challenge of a second string Royal Wahingdoh FC in their second leg Shillong Premier League match, winning 3-2 at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Saturday.

In the other match of the day, Malki inflicted an 8-0 defeat on bottom club Mawlai, set up by a hat-trick by Samson Nongrum.

Rangdajied had taken a 3-0 lead in their match against the defending champions and looked good to maintain their clean sheet this season and record their 13th victory.

Brazilian striker Edmar Figueira laid the foundation with a goal in first half stoppage time, scoring with a low right-footer from inside the box.

The Blues then doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Bansharai Sun headed in a beautiful cross from the right flank.

Substiute Shin Hojun then gave this team their third goal in the 86th minute, leaving the Royals’ hopes looking slim.

However, with just minutes to play, RWFC produced a late show of inspiration, scoring two goals in under five minutes.

Wahingdoh forward Bickyson Kharkongor tapped in a rebound off Rangdajied goalkeeper Surjay Pariyar in the 87th minute and Sylvat Tongper then nimbly placed the ball past Pariyar in injury time.

Chances of a stunning turnaround were in play as Wahingdoh then earned three corners and almost scored, but they were denied what would have been a late equaliser.

The defending champions have 20 points from 12 matches and are now destined not to finish the league stage any higher than their current third position.

However, they could well face a hard fight for third place from Langsning, who are one spot below with 19 points and who also have two games remaining.

Both teams will be in action on Monday, with Wahingdoh taking on Mawlai at 10:45am and Langsning going up against Pohkseh at 2:45pm at the JN Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, in the other match on Saturday, Malki came away convincing winners over Mawlai.

Malki are thus guaranteed to finish second in the league stage with 29 points from 13 games.

Starting briskly, Malki earned their first goal in the second minute through midfielder Ronnie Nongbri before Samson Nongrum added another one minute later.

Ronnie then score his team’s third in the ninth minute followed by Timmy Ryngkhlem’s 11th minute conversion.

Ryngkhlem found the net again in the 15th minute, but no further goals were scored in the first half, with the two teams going into the break with the score 5-0 in Malki’s favour.

Samson’s other two goals came in the 48th and 86th minute while Kordor Marwein scored his only goal just after an hour’s play.

Samson had scored four goals in Malki’s last fixture, against Pohkseh on Wednesday (also an 8-0 affair), and he now has 12 goals to his name this season, according to an unofficial tally.

He is tied with Nangkiew Irat’s forward, Nnamdi Stephan Harry.

Mawkar beat Nongmensong 2-0

In a Third Division Super League match on Saturday, Mawkhar got the better of Nongmensong, rallying to a 2-0 victory.

Tatu Lamin scored a 40th minute goal and Shining Mukhim added another just a minute later.

On Monday, Rynjah will take on Mawkhriah West at 1pm at Polo Grounds.

SHILLONG PREMIER LEAGUE

Team                                              P    W     L     D     P
Rangdajied United                          13    13     0     0    39
Malki SC                                        13     9     2     2    29
Royal Wahingdoh                            12     6     4     2    20
Langsning FC                                  12     5     3     4    19
Nangkiew Irat SC                            14     6     7     1    19
Meghalaya Police                             13     5     8     0    15
Pohkseh SS&CC                              12     1    10     1     4
Mawlai SC                                        13     1    12     0     3