Shillong, Sep 16: Mawkhar came from a goal down to beat Mawlai 4-2 and win the First Division 2019 title at the JN Stadium here today.
With no final, whichever team topped the round robin stage would be crowned the champions. Today’s victory means that Mawkhar have an unassailable lead at the top of the points table with 17.
It was second-placed Mawlai, however, who took the lead in the all-important match when a bad back pass in the 28th minute gave B Bina a one-on-one opportunity with the Mawkhar goalkeeper, in which he came out on top.
Just eight minutes later, though, Mawkhar had their equaliser when Aibiangmame Nongneng took a superb long-range strike that found the back of the net.
Mawkhar then went into the lead before half time when Restorewell Marbaniang headed the ball home to make it 2-1 in the 43rd minute.
Early in the second half Aenam Jyrwa missed from point blank range in the 49th minute but he didn’t let himself make that mistake in the 55th, when, in a similar position on the receiving end of a cross, he passed the ball to Bansanbha Khongsdam, who scored.
The game looked to be getting away from Mawlai, but a Mawkher defender was judged to have committed a foul in the box, leading to a penalty, which was converted by Oversharp Iawphniaw, who reduced Mawlai’s deficit in the 78th minute.
Five minutes of stoppage time were signalled by the fourth official, but Mawkhar put the game beyond doubt in the second of those available when they counterattacked on the back of Jyrwa. Mawlai had committed all but one defender in their opponents’ box and at this juncture Jyrwa stole the ball away and sauntered into the Mawlai box with just the lone defender and goalkeeper between him and scoring. His shot was blocked by the keeper, however, but Defender Pyngrope was alive to the rebound, which he smashed home.
Tomorrow Imson are scheduled to face Nongkrem at 3PM.
(TSR photo of Mawkhar celebrating after the match)
