By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Table-toppers of this season’s Shillong Premier League, Rangdajied United FC fell to Nangkiew Irat SC 0-2 on Monday at the JN Stadium. The loss means that Rangdajied’s nine-match winning run finally ended, which could be blamed on a younger side being fielded.
The move is most likely part of the Rangdajied camp’s strategy to rest their senior players for the upcoming games, including the semi-finals, which they are virtually assured of reaching.
The first half went goalless despite some near misses by Nangkiew, who dominated possession.
The 18th minute could have produced a goal for the underdogs when Laldingngheta missed twice. He first took a shot barely eight yards from the keeper, who put the ball away only for striker Ezeani to pass it back to Laldingngheta, who took another wayward shot.
However, Laldingngheta was influential in his side’s first goal when he sent a fine corner straight to Ezeani in the 50th minute, who flicked the ball past Rangdajied’s goalie Shambhu.
Barely three minutes later, Laldingngheta made one more fine pass, this time for Suresh Singh to score.
Rangdajied’s only clear-cut opportunity came in the 89th minute with an Ericson shot hitting the post and therefore, denying them a consolation goal.
