Shillong, Aug 7: Mawlai made a huge statement of intent as they walloped Sawmer 6-2 in the second match of the Shillong Premier League 2025 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, on Thursday.
Ricky Chyne (17’), Kevin Rymbai (18’, 57’P), Balajied Syiemlieh (23’) and Robert Khongriah (49’, 81’) gave Mawlai a strong start but it was not perfect as Enestar Malngiang (68’, 79’) scored twice for Sawmer.
Sawmer were beaten twice by Mawlai in SPL 2024 but only by slim margins. Overall, though, Mawlai had the better season, finishing in second place while Sawmer were only just out of the relegation zone in eighth position. Although both sides have gone through several personnel changes before this season, Mawlai looked like a well-oiled machine as they went 3-0 up in just 23 minutes and were leading 5-0 before Sawmer even got their first goal.
The action was fast and thrilling but it took a few minutes before the two sides to settle in. Ricky was the first to get on the scoresheet and scored against his former team in the 17th minute when he sauntered in to tap-in a powerful Balajied cross in front of goal.
A minute later Kevin, who will certainly be Mawlai’s lead man this season, struck a shot that took a deflection before going into the net. Balajied then added to Sawmer’s woes with a shot along the ground after he was given too much space to move freely in the box.
Sawmer did not concede again until the break but that had much to do with Mawlai consolidating their position and slowing the game down.
They wasted no time in the second half, however, with Robert scoring early before Sawmer conceded a penalty, which was expertly converted by Kevin.
Enestar was then able to claw a goal back for Sawmer with a header off a corner and he picked up one more goal to reduce the margin further.
However, just two minutes later a mistake at the back allowed Robert to score his second of the evening and make it 6-2 to Mawlai, giving the former champions a hugely positive start to their SPL 2025 campaign.
There will be no match until August 12 when Langsning face Mylliem at 5:30pm. The fixture between Rangdajied United and Shillong Lajong, which had been scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed at the request of Rangdajied as they are involved in the ongoing Durand Cup 2025.
