U-15 Youth League
SHILONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC notched up their seventh straight win and a berth in the Final Round when they beat Shillong Lajong FC 3-1 in a U-15 Youth League match played at Madan Heh stadium in Shillong on Friday.
A brace by Rheadolf Nongneng (18’, 89’) and a goal by T Santosh Singh (28’) was enough to pip SLFC which never looked like garnering three points from the tie. Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi (32’) was the lone scorer for the Reds.
It has been a magnificent run for the Royals who have qualified for the National round with as many as three matches to spare. Their dominating display can be ascertained from the fact that RWFC have scored 34 goals in seven matches conceding only three in the process whereas all other teams taken together have managed only 26 goals in the event.
Coach Bobby Nongbet has lauded the boys for the excellent show and asserted that they had been preparing for the event for over two years now.
“Our efforts are finally yielding results,” the proud coach said adding that the performances speak volumes of the RWFC youth academy.
“First the U-18 side topped the zonal round without losing a single match or conceding even one goal and now the U-15 have qualified for the final round with three matches at hand. Incredible feat yet again,” he added.
Earlier, the Royals began asserting themselves on the pitch right from the word go and it was not long before Rheadolof Nongneng got them the breakthrough in the 18th minute. Exactly ten minutes later Santosh doubled the lead piling more pressure on the Reds.
Lajong threatened to make a comeback when Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi struck for them two minutes after the half hour mark.
The teams, however, went to the break with the scores at 2-1.
Crossing over Lajong pressed hard for the elusive equalizer but were kept at bay by the efficient Wahingdoh backline. Their pursuit was rendered useless by an 89th minute goal by Rheadolf who converted beautifully of a free kick from outside the box to seal a decisive win for his side.
With this win, the Royals have further extended their lead at the top of the table to 21 points with their nearest rival SAI Guwahati sitting at 13 points. The two sides will lock horns in Guwahati on January 19.