SHILLONG: A controversial decision helped ONGC defeat Royal Wahingdoh FC 2-1 in the second leg of the 2nd Division I-League final round match played at Gangtok, Sikkim on Wednesday.
In a controversial decision the referee awarded ONGC a penalty in the dying moments of the match which was easily converted to a goal.
In the first leg, the Shillong side had to give away three points to ONGC despite winning the match 4-1 after the team management committed a blunder by fielding four foreign players in the match.
After Wednesday’s loss, RWFC have been relegated to second position in the points tally (16 points from nine matches).
ONGC retained the top position with 17 points from eight outings.
The Shillong side would have to win their remaining three matches to qualify for the next season’s I-League.
RWFC took lead in the 24th minute through a beautiful goal by Chencho.
RWFC dominated the entire first half, but failed to increase the tally.
RWFC were leading 1-0 at the lemon break.
Soon after the resumption of the second half, ONGC were awarded a free kick just outside the box. The ONGC striker converted the free kick to a goal.
In stoppage time, the ONGC winger attacked from the right flank and put the ball inside the box. Another ONGC striker in his attempt to score lost his balance and fell down. The referee, however, awarded a penalty to ONGC which was converted by their Japanese striker.
When contacted, RWFC coach Carlton Chapman said “It is really disappointing that the team lost the match only because of a controversial decision of the referee.”