By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Rangdajied United FC beat Langsning FC 3-1 in a second round 2nd Division I-League match at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday and will now take on Southern Samity on Wednesday.
With this victory, Rangdajied’s chances of qualifying for next season’s top tier remain steady, as they are now third, tied on 13 points with Bhawanipore FC, but behind on goal difference.
Bhawanipore defeated Southern Samity 4-1 on Sunday to stay ahead of Rangdajied.
Only two teams from the 2nd Division will qualify for the I-League, with Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting looking good for one of those places, with 17 points from eight games.
Each of the six teams in the 2nd Division have just two matches still to play, so Langsning’s chances of making it through appear very slim as they have just nine points from their eight matches, although they will hope to spring a late surprise.
They are in fifth place, behind Mumbai Tigers, according to the official All India Football Federation points table.
Both Shillong clubs will be in action on Wednesday, with Langsning taking on the Tigers, and Rangdajied facing current whipping boys Southern Samity, who are bottom of the group.
Langsning will have to win their last two games to have any chance of staying in contention.
Their last match is also the last of the 2nd Division, against Southern Samity on April 28.
Rangdajied’s final match will see them take on Mohammedan on April 27, which is likely to be a tough fight.
RUFC are on a three-game winning streak, however, having beaten Bhawanipore and Mumbai Tigers last week, and the Shillong boys should take some confidence into their match against Mohammedan.
Bhawanipore will not have it easy either, as they take on their fellow Kolkata club on Thursday.
They will then face Mumbai Tigers on April 27.
