SHILLONG: Rangdajied United FC and Langsning FC were both knock out of the running for a berth in the I-League top tier next season on Monday.
In a must-win match, Rangdajied lost to Mohammedan Sporting by a solitary goal in the 2nd Division final round at the Bangalore Football Stadium.
As a result, the Shillong-based club are in fourth place on four points and even if they win their final game against Langsning on Friday, they will not be able to overcome Bhawanipore FC’s tally of eight points.
Langsning have one point from three matches and even two wins in their last two matches will only put them on seven.
Playing a barren first half, the action was mostly confined to the midfield with neither side really able to push the ball forward.
Changing over, Rangdajied conceded an early goal when, in the 49th minute, Jerry Zirsinga’s dipping shot from 34 yards penetrated into the goal, giving the Black Panthers the lead.
On the other hand Rangdajied failed to create any chances as Babatunde Ayomide and Shin Hojun were marked well by the rival defence line.
In the 73rd minute substitute Hiralal Chettri came close to scoring but the ball was well cleared Arnab Sharma.
Rangdajied goalkeeper Surjay Pariyar had a good time under the bar as he saved as many as four chances, but the one that got through him proved too costly.
With this win Mohammedan are at the top of the table with 10 points and have guaranteed themselves a place in the I-League next season.
Earlier, in the first match, Jose Ramirez Barreto’s hat-trick guided Bhawanipore to a 3-2 victory over Mumbai Tigers.
For the Mumbai side both goals came from the boot of NP Pardeep.
Both teams are still in the running for the second spot.
On Tuesday, Langsning, who are fifth in the table will take on bottom dwellers Southern Samity at 4:15 pm in a match that the Shillong team will want to win for pride.
