SHILLONG: Shillong-based Rangdajied United FC missed as many as six opportunities to score, giving their Kolkata-based rivals Bhawanipore FC a much needed chance of scoring a winner that came through a penalty kick in second half stoppage time in the Second Division I-League final stage, played at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Tuesday.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Shillong boys came out all charged up for the second half but failed to convert the opportunities that came their way.
Looking for a winner, Bhawanipore fielded Jose Ramirez Baretto in the middle of the second half of the game to provide the side with a powerful attack up at front.
The Shillong team have no one to blame but themselves for not being able to convert as many as six chances.
Rangdajied came close to scoring in the 72nd minute of the game, but Jeribe Kelechi failed to touch the Restom Khyriem cross.
Had Kelechi managed to touch the ball it would have easily found its way into the net.
In the 88th minute Ambelistar Sunn crossed the ball and Shin Hojun took a shot and found the net but the referee disallowed the goal, finding the player to be off side.
As the match entered the one minute of extra time, referee Arun Pillai awarded spot kick in favour of the Kolkata side after he caught Poibabiang Pohsnem bringing down Brazilian Baretto inside the box.
Taking the spot kick, the experienced Baretto made no mistake and the ball went straight into the net.
With this win Bhawanipore are now on four points while Rangdajied have one point.
In the second match of the day Mumbai Tigers hammered Kolkata’s Southern Samity 3-0.
Playing a barren first half, Southern Samity were reduced to ten men after referee A Arjunan gave Francis O Onyeama his marching orders after the player received a second yellow card in the 58th minute.
In the 63rd minute NP Pradeep’s powerful shot penetrated into the net giving the Maharastra side the lead.
In the 78th minute Bemba Dikhate scored the second goal and completed the tally in the 89th minute with the final goal.
Meanwhile, on Wednes-day Langsning will take on Mohammedan Sporting at 4:15pm.
Langsning lost to Mumbai Tigers by a solitary goal in their first match.
“It will very crucial match for us we need to win points in order to boost the morale of the boys,” said Langsning coach L Darlong.
On the opponents he said, “they are a good side infact all the teams are equally good so we cannot take a chance.”
On the other hand Mohammedan coach Sanjoy Sen said, “Langsning are a good side. I have seen their play in the last match. They would have won the match but they lost through a penalty.”
“It is a crucial match for us and we will go all out to win full points”.
Mohammedan have a point in their kitty after they played a goalless draw against Bhawanipore on Sunday.