Shillong, Aug 13: Nangkiew Irat and Meghalaya Police played out a 1-1 draw in their Shillong Premier League match at the JN Stadium here today.
Niwan-o Gatphoh scored the opener for MLP in the 62nd minute but Nangkiew equalised just three minutes later by Lambor Nongsiej, who had just come on to the pitch as a substitute. This was the first draw of the season.
Neither side were clinical and the match was characterised by faulty passing and shots that were nowhere near on target.
In the 25th minute Gatphoh was on target from five yards but the shot was blocked by Nangkiew goalkeeper Maitshaphrang Kharumnuid.
Over in the second half Gatphoh countered and ran right up the pitch, but this time his shot was too tame to trouble Kharumnuid.
Gatphoh would finally get on the scoresheet in the 62nd minute in a rather lucky way.
A forward pass met the No. 7 and he went deep on the left and fired. The shot was blocked again by Kharumnuid but Gatphoh on the run collided with the ball and it went into the back of the net.
Just three minutes later, however, Nangkiew struck right back when a cross was put into the box. MLP custodian Kenio Lyngkhoi appeared hesitant to get forward and smother the ball and it hit Nonsiej’s body and went across the line.
There was a little more action in the final few minutes in the heavy rain and Nangkiew almost stole victory in the 90th minute when Roikhihbha Nongtdu was fouled just outside the box. The free-kick was then deflected by Lyngkhoi on to the crossbar and the ball bounced back into play and the resulting shot by a Nangkiew player was denied when it struck the keeper in the back.
Tomorrow, in the First Division, Sohryngkham will take on Rising FC at 4PM in what will be a rematch of last year’s Second Division final, which Rising won.
(TSR photo. Nangkiew Irat are in red, Meghalaya Police in black)
