By Our Reporter
Shillong, Jan 4: Mawlai SC and Rangdajied United FC started the new year with victories in the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2024 but went about it in contrasting ways at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Saturday.
Defending champions Mawlai had to overcome staunch resistance by Laitkor SC to win 1-0 thanks to a solitary strike by Baiaikara Swer (82’), while Rangdajied made it look easy in a 4-0 victory over Nongthymmai SC earlier – Owanijuh Pajuh (1’), Benny Khriam (41’) and RT Hanson Pdang (88’, 90’+4) were the scorers.
Laitkor refused to be overawed by their more illustrious opponents and rarely let Mawlai to get in close to make attempts on goal.
The energy was different in this game compared to the earlier one, with the presence of more fans in the stands lending itself to some terrific action on the pitch.
A slight misjudgement by Laitkor goalkeeper Deranius Wahlang around half an hour into the game saw a long ball bounce over him as he came off his line to collect it but Mawlai were unable to punish their opponents for this. In the second half, Moonstar Nongsiej almost had Laitkor in front but he pulled a shot just wide after working his way into the box.
Later, Mawlai were denied by the woodwork following a corner kick and it took a shot from the edge of the box by Baiaikara to finally break the deadlock with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.
Laitkor then ended the game with 10 men after Euvasius Mawthoh was sent off with a direct red card.
Rangdajied’s victory means that Laitkor dropped a place to seventh. Earlier, Owanijuh scored some 50 seconds into the match versus Nongthymmai as he headed in a cross with no trouble at all. He then set up the second goal with a pass for Benny, who finished it off neatly. Nongthymmai were never really able to mount a challenge, though Ronald Singh Shaikhom came close twice, first by being denied by the fingertips of stand-in RUFC goalkeeper Meshan Banjop Sumer and then by hitting the upright.
Super sub Hanson wrapped up a successful day for Rangdajied by scoring twice at the tail-end of the match.