By Our Reporter
Shillong, March 25: Nongthymmai SC celebrated their first goals and maiden victory of the Shillong Premier League 2023 by beating Nangkiew Irat SC 2-0 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Monday.
Y Gopi Singh (58’) and Iohborlang Nonglyer (66’) were the scorers with both goals coming in the second half.
Nangkiew Irat had marked themselves out to be a top side after they won their first round match 2-1 over Sawmer SC last Tuesday while Nongthymmai, newly promoted to the SPL, lost the season opener to Rangdajied United 1-0 on March 18.
Nangkiew Irat’s intensity was missing on Monday, however, and they never really looked like taking 3 points against their opponents.
Their standout performers from the first match were captain Shaibor Nongrum and M Nikhil Raj but the duo were kept fairly quiet this time by a confident Nongthymmai defensive line. Raj was more alive in the second half but still could not make a strong enough impact.
In fact, there were hardly any chances for Nangkiew Irat in the game, with Khangmiki Pale aiming one sky high when right in front of the goal in the 12th minute before team mate Flavius Lalruatkima’s attempt in the 25th took a deflection before being gathered by Nongthymmai goalkeeper Roni Das, who needed two bites to grab the ball.
Although there was a scoring opportunity for Nongthymmai in the first half – Rudolf Shadap went too high while on the run – the club saved their best for the second half.
Gopi was presented with the ball on the edge of the box and thought about passing it before he changed his mind and went for goal himself, sending his right-footer low and past the grasp of the diving goalie Vanlalhriata Chhangte for the opening goal.
Iohborlang, who was with Nongthymmai when they gained promotion from the First Division in the previous season, then made the first of his attempts during a counterattack, with an attempted lob going just wide of the post in the 65th minute.
However, he had to wait just 60 seconds more to get his name on the scoresheet, this time making no mistake with a left-footed shot that shook the back of the net.
The double concession saw Nangkiew Irat’s shoulders fall a little and their play began to look a little erratic, with several long-range shots that went nowhere.
The last real one saw Primrose Lamat send one over the crossbar following a free-kick and Nongthymmai held on for a clean sheet and victory to get their campaign off and running.
On Tuesday, last season’s runners-up Rangdajied will face Sawmer, who like Nongthymmai, were promoted from the First Division.