Shillong, Aug 24: Rangdajied United moved to the top of the Shillong Premier League table with a 3-1 victory over Nangkiew Irat at the JN Stadium here today.
Raikutshisha Buam put Rangdajied into the lead in the 27th minute before Chesterfield Nongdhar equalised in the 32nd.
Much of the rest of the match was a slow affair, but Reson Malngiang brought it back to life by scoring in the 73rd minute and Chanmetre Thma sealed victory five minutes later for last year’s runners-up.
Rangdajied now have a full 12 points from four games, while Nangkiew stay in fourth position with four points. RUFC have replaced Langsning (10 points) at the top of the table.
The first 20 minutes were replete with near misses for both sides but before a third of the way through the game Andy Mawthoh moved into a good position and passed the ball to Buam outside the box. He set himself up nicely and shot it low past Maitshaphrang Kharumnuid’s right, leaving the goalkeeper stationary.
Shanborlang Jyrwa was an early substitute for Nangkiew and soon after coming on to the pitch he took a weakish shot, but luckily it fell into the path of Nongdhar, whose outstretched boot sent the ball into the back of the net.
A long quiet spell followed as neither team were able to claw out an advantage over the other.
Malngiang put Rangdajied back into the lead with less than 20 minutes left on the clock with he swept his right boot through a cross from the right and the ball found the back of the net.
His contribution to the final goal of the day was more impressive, however, as the No. 11 ran up the left flank using his characteristic speed and cut the ball back for a tap in by Thma in the 78th minute.
Tomorrow Shillong Lajong will take on Malki at 3:45PM.
(TSR photo. Rangdajied are in blue, Nangkiew in red)
