Khrawkupar lights up Mawlai with hat-trick; Lajong beat Rangdajied

Shillong, Oct 24: It was a Khrawkupar Jana special with his hat-trick leading Mawlai SC to a 4-1 victory over Ryntih FC in a ripping local derby in the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2024 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Thursday.
Earlier, Shillong Lajong FC made it back-to-back wins with a 2-1 result against Rangdajied United FC.
Khrawkupar, who had already scored a brace in the first match, netted today in the 48th, 51st and 80th minutes to go well clear in the race for the Golden Boot. Donlad Diengdoh (89’) headed in Mawlai’s other goal, while Allen L Nongbri (87’) converted a penalty for Ryntih.
After a goalless first half that had its moments – Ryntih goalkeeper Frolicson Dkhar pulling off a blinder of a save before Mawlai’s Kevin Rymbai rattled the crossbar with a powerful shot from distance – Mawlai poured on the pressure and Ryntih were left unable to cope.
Khrawkupar headed in his first goal off a corner but it is his left foot that is his biggest weapon and he unleashed it twice for two brilliant goals.
The first saw him squeeze it through the legs of Allen L Nongbri and past the goalie from the edge of the box. The second came after the ball was in the Ryntih box and there was an all-out melee with no one able to clear the ball or score. Donlad cleverly back-heeled the ball to the man of the moment and Khraw scored his hat-trick goal.
Earlier, Samchaphrang Lato (26’) and super sub Emanbha Marbaniang (80’) found the back of the net for Lajong and Benny V Khriam (54’) for Rangdajied, who thus suffered a second defeat in a row (they went down to Mawlai in their opener).
Samchaphrang scored following a corner when the ball bobbled around a bit before falling to him and he negotiated the high bounce and struck it cleanly into the corner of the net, not allowing Rangdajied goalkeeper Kerichard L Marshillong a chance.
RUFC made two substitutions at half time and one of these, Owanijuh Pajuh, proved crucial to the equaliser as he ran up the left and cut the ball back expertly for an unmarked Benny to score, beating SLFC custodian Siwel Rymbai in the process.
With the clock ticking on, it appeared as if the two sides would have to be happy with a draw but Emanbha, barely a minute after coming on as a substitute, headed in a Yohaan Benjamin corner to restore Lajong’s lead, which they held onto until the final whistle.