SHILLONG: A clinical Royal Wahingdoh FC reclaimed the top spot in the Hero I-League standings after convincing 2-0 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in a Round 6 home match at the JN Stadium here on Sunday.
The Royals so to say dominated the proceedings from the middle of first half braving a cold, rainy evening at the JN Stadium to emerge victorious against their Goan rivals who are yet to register a victory this season.
Comeback boy Seityasen Singh and star striker Kim Song Yong struck on either side of half time respectively to take the Royals to the top of the standings again.
With this victory RWFC have 13 points in their kitty from six matches. Their closest rival is Pune FC which is second in the table with 11 points in its kitty.
While Seityasen Singh provided the first goal of the match in the 40th minute, Kim Song Yong delivered the second in the 57th minute to seal the fate of the tie.
Seityasen, who had missed the tie against Dempo, burst into the box to finish off a brilliant Lallawnzuala cross from the left flank, putting his side ahead just before half time.
Crossing over, the hosts added another goal to their tally three minutes before the hour mark when Kim Seong-Yong headed one into the nets from close range to make it 2-0 for the Royals.
Sporting, who have only scored once so far in this season, never really looked threatening except for round about the 37th minute when a Boima Karpeh shot was brilliantly saved by RWFC custodian Prem Kumar who jumped to punch the ball over the nets.
The Royals, meanwhile, dominated almost throughout the second half and romped home to a well deserved win.
The day also belonged to the almost 5000-strong crowd who braved rain and cold to support the hosts. Heavy rain prior to the start of play had made conditions challenging for both teams.
Earlier, RWFC coach Santosh Kashyap made four changes to his side with Lalmangaihsanga, Govin Singh, Marlangki Suting and Jackichand Singh making way for Naoba Singh, Lallawmazuala, Godwin Franco and Seityasen Singh. Meanwhile, the injured Brandon Fernandes was replaced by Mauvin Borges for the away side.
Lallawmazuala impressed throughout with his support role from the left flank and made numerous inroads besides feeding Seitya with a good ball which was eventually converted.
Kashyap, who was elated with his team’s “big win”, yet again refused to set a target for his side who have created a ripple with their performance in the I-League so far. He, however, praised the boys for their good show on Sunday. The Royals will now take on Mumbai FC in an away match on February 20.

I-LEAGUE 2014-15

Team    P    W    L    D    GF    GA    Points
Royal Wahingdoh    6    4    1    1     8     7    13
Pune FC    6    3    1    2     12     7    11
Bengaluru FC    6    3    2    1     8     4    10
East Bengal    5    2    1    2     6     6    8
Salgaocar SC    6    2    2    2     6     6    8
Mohun Bagan    3    2    0    1     4     1     7
Dempo Sports Club    5    1    0    4     4     1    7
Mumbai FC    5    1    3    1     6     7    4
Shillong Lajong FC    5    1    4    0     5     11    3
Bharat FC    4    0    2    2     2     4    2
Sporting Clube De Goa    5    0    3    2     1     8    2