SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC got their Second Division I-League campaign off to a terrific start with a 9-2 demolition of Garhwal FC in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, on Friday.
Pushing for a shot at the top tier of Indian football, the Royals benefitted from the hat-trick of Jackichand Singh and Atsushi Yonezawa’s brace besides other contributions.
Wahingdoh claimed the lead via a Bekay Bawar goal in the 21st minute, which was followed by Jackichand’s first five minutes later.
The two teams went into the break with RWFC leading 2-0, but a torrent of goals changed the nature of the contest in the second session.
In the 47th minute, Jacki scored his second and new signing Babtunde Badmus made it 4-0 five minutes later.
Seityasen Singh then made his contribution with a strike in the 69th minute before Garhwal finally managed to pull one back in the 75th minute.
However, this did not do much to tide of play, with Yonezawa responding immediately in the next minute for another Wahingdoh goal.
Garhwal were able to earn another goal to their name, but any hope of a comeback proved to be a false one as Jacki earned his hat-trick in the 79th minute.
Kimkima and Yonezawa then added a goal each in the 90th and 91st minutes, respectively, to seal a mighty victory for the Shillong outfit.
In the other match of the day in Group A, PIFA Sports drew 1-1 with Kalighat Milan Sangha.
The Royals will next take on Green Valley on Monday and the winners will be undisputed group leaders, at least for a while.
The Assam club beat MP United FC 3-0 on Saturday.
Group B action
Meanwhile, in Gangtok, Group B has Bhawanipore FC as provisional leaders, after the Kolkata side defeated Kenkre Sports 4-0 on Saturday.
Aizawl FC drew with Keralan team Eagles FC 1-1 in the other match of the day in Sikkim.
