SHILLONG: Two goals in three minutes saw Royal Wahingdoh secure a 2-0 win over PIFA Colaba FC in a thriller at Indore on Tuesday, while fellow Shillong club Langsning FC defeated Delhi United 3-2 in Singrauli.
Showing grit and determination, the Royals pumped in two crucial goals late in the game to produce a complete turnaround of events.
PIFA, for their part, showed resilience and discipline in their approach against the Shillong-based side but were unable to squeeze out any goals.
Late conversions by striker Puia and Seitya eventually saw the Royals home, but the win did not come without a few hiccups.
The scores could have been read differently if it wasn’t for a missed penalty by PIFA in the first session.
Kunzang, Royal Wahingdoh’s keeper, displayed a heroic effort to save a powerful shot at goal and deny the opposition what would have been a vital lead.
PIFA’s missed chance left the scores tied at 0-0 until the 88th minute when Seitya played the ball along the left wing before taking a deflective shot that saw the ball baffle the keeper and find its way into the net.
The Royal Wahingdoh defence line worked hard in the last couple of minutes to deny the opposition an equaliser.
A minute into stoppage time, Puia doubled the lead for the Royals.
A long ball was sent into the PIFA defence after which the striker gained possession and calmly slotted the ball into goal to hammer the last nail in the coffin.
Royal Wahingdoh play their next match against table toppers Bhawanipore on March 21 at 4pm in Indore.
RWFC are third in Group B with 12 points from six matches.
They are chasing Bhawanipore and Mohammedan, who have 15 and 13 points each but have played one match less, for one of two spots in the next round.
The Royals are two points ahead of Aizawl FC, who have also played five matches.
Langsning, meanwhile, are still riding high atop Group A, with 13 points from five games, three points ahead of DSK Shivajains, who took over second spot on Tuesday after beating George Telegraph 2-1.
Rangdajied United were in second spot, but have dropped down one place; they did not play on Tuesday. Their next match is on Thursday against KGF Academy.
Langsning will face Samaleshwari FC on the same day.
Samaleshwari defeated Kohima Komets 2-0 on Tuesday, the fifth loss for the Nagaland club.
In Group B, Aizawl defeated Josco FC 3-0 on Tuesday, while Green Valley FC of Assam went down 0-1 to Mohammedan.
Green Valley are out of contention for a place in the next round, as they have also lost five of their six matches thus far.
The only other North East outfit in action on Tuesday was Luangmual, who lost 1-3 to Eagles FC.