Defending champions Wahingdoh lose in extra time * 4 players sent off after scuffle
SHILLONG: Malki SC had to wait until the end of extra time before securing their first ever spot in a Shillong Premier League final after beating defending champions Royal Wahingdoh FC 3-2 in a thrilling, if controversial, decider at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Monday.
The match, however, was marred by an ugly incident in the first session of extra time, following which four players were shown red cards by the referee, leaving just 18 players on the field.
There was even action off the pitch, with fans of the two clubs getting into a heated argument before the start of extra time, leading Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who was present at the ground as spectator, to act as a sort of unofficial crowd referee.
The SPL had, until now, been a poorly-attended affair, but the supporters of both clubs came out in large numbers for this fixture and they were treated to more than their fair share of entertainment.
The match was a see-saw encounter, with both sides claiming the lead at some point.
Jackichand Singh put the defending champs 1-0 up in the 26th minute with a left-footed low shot following a rebound off a Malki defender.
The first half ended without further goals scored, but Malki came out determined in the second session, scoring through Ronnie Nongbri in the 52nd minute via a header.
Six minutes later, Malki took the lead after a lapse in the opposition defence, with Timmy Ryngkhlem smashing a right-footer that beat Wahingdoh goalkeeper Bishorjit Singh.
The even-sided contest then took another twist with Jacki scoring his second goal of the match with a 69th minute free kick that took a deflection off a Malki player in the defensive wall.
Malki, who finished second in the league stage (one place higher than Wahingdoh), looked a little jaded in the latter part of the second half and were unable to really create many goal-scoring opportunities.
The full 90 minutes failed to yield a result and both clubs were forced into an extra half hour, with Malki springing the winning goal.
It turned out to be substitute Batskhem Tariang who delivered the final blow, with a spectacular diving header that at once lifted Malki’s fans onto their feet while rendering the RWFC supporters quiet.
The argy-bargy between the players occured a few minutes later after a Malki and Wahingdoh player got into a scuffle when the referee halted play.
The issue boiled over into an unwelcome display of pushing and shoving between several players from both sides and that brought the benched footballers and officials of both teams onto the pitch.
It took several minutes for the referee to restore order and he duly sent off four players with red cards – Malki’s Shankupar Kharbyngar, goalie Maitsha-phrang Kharumnuid, RWFC’s Reagan Singh and Deepak Singh.
The Royals, rather deflated after the incident, pressed for a late equaliser, but their hurried efforts failed to bring them a goal.
Despite the heated atmosphere, both teams were able to shake hands after the final whistle and Malki will now have to face Rangdajied United FC in the final on Friday in what is hoped to be an exciting game of football, for all the right reasons this time.
