SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh youngsters got their U-19 I-League North East Zone campaign off to a fine start with a 2-0 victory over Green Valley of Assam at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Wednesday.
With the two sides playing their first game of the tournament, Wahingdoh settled in perfectly with two goals in the first half hour of play.
Rohlupuia provided the breakthrough in only the ninth minute before Pema Wongyal Bhutia doubled the lead in the 28th, the defender guiding the ball past opposition goalkeeper Mulya Rabha.
While they were able to boast of the majority of the possession, RWFC’s finishing let them down a little, as the excited youth skewed a few shots wide of the goal; a little bit more control could have seen them score sevearl more goals.
Skipper Eijingmut Lyngdoh, Maitshaphrang Nengnong, Sushil Meitei and Naoba Meitei were all active up at front for the hosts.
Green Valley were positive right up until the final whistle, but while Wahingdoh were lacking in finishing, the Assam team had a problem with controlling the ball, losing it to the Royals through hurried kicks forward and poor passes.
Nevertheless, they did ask a few questions of the Shillong team, with Jagadish Boro almost earning them a goal in the 51st minute, though his shot went wide.
A few mintues later, Bibek Bhutia failed to convert a 58th minute chance for Wahingdoh.
The U-19 Royals will next play Shillong Lajong on February 18 at the JN Stadium at 1:00pm.
Wahingdoh have taken the early lead among the four teams (Rangdajied United being the other) in the zone, thanks to a better goal difference over Lajong.
The junior Reds beat Rangdajied 2-1 on Tuesday.