By Our Reporter
Shillong, May 25: Nongkseh SSCC and Shillong Lajong FC finished first and second respectively in Group A of the 5th Meghalaya State League quarterfinal league stage after both came through their respective matches at the SSA Stadium here on Monday.
Both Nongkseh and Lajong had already secured the top two spots in Group A before Monday.
The only thing left to decide was which team finished first and which was second.
Nongkseh held off Mawlai SC 2-1 in the evening and, in the earlier game, Fridison Wanniang (42’, 54’) scored in either half for Lajong’s 2-0 win against Rangdajied United FC.
Chesterpaul Lyngdoh (8’) and Sheen Sohktung (14’) scored two goals early for Nongkseh before Syndongmiki Lyngdoh (46’) pulled one back for Mawlai in the first minute of the second half.
Fridison has been developing plenty of confidence in recent games and looks like he is beginning to settle well with his new club after switching from Laitkor SC before the MSL. He is now Lajong’s top scorer with 7 goals.
For Rangdajied, meanwhile, there was to be no fairytale ending to their campaign as they bowed out with a sixth straight defeat. The 2023 champions sneaked through preliminary Group H into the pre-quarterfinals, where they required extra time to get past Janepih YSCA.
A decisive turnaround was hoped for in the quarterfinal league but never came, though they showed moments of promise.
With Lajong winning their game, Nongkseh had to take 3 points against MSL 4 champs Mawlai in order to win the group.
They started the right way with Chester thumping home a cross from the left and Sheen then producing a strong left-footer to double the lead.
