Shillong, Sep 4: Though reduced to 10 men on the pitch with half an hour to play, Langsning were still able to beat Meghalaya Police 3-0, which took them to the top of the Shillong Premier League table, at the JN Stadium here today.
Milancy Khongstia, Arnesius Marwein and Kitboklang Pale scored the defending champions’ goals today as Langsning completely dominated proceedings. Khongstia, however, would turn into a bit of a villain, at least for MLP, as he received the first direct red card of the season for a foul from behind on Raja Shadap.
Langsning now have 14 points at the end of their first round of matches, one ahead of Rangdajied United and two ahead of Shillong Lajong. MLP stay fourth with seven points.
Great one-touch passes between Ebormi Buam and Pale saw Langsning create the space they needed for Khongstia to speed through on the right flank in the fifth minute, take the ball into the box and fire it past MLP goalkeeper Kenio Lyngkhoi.
The police had just three shots on target all match long, so there wasn’t much to report from their end. Instead, it was Langsning all the way through the first half.
U-18 Figo Syndai was denied twice before having to be substituted for what looked like an injury of some sort, while his replacement – Marwein – was denied in the 26th minute.
Earlier Pale had an open goal in front of him, but had to shoot from distance and with his less-fancied right boot and his ball trickled into the upright. There was less excuse for his miss in the 30th minute when Khongstia crossed him a nice ball from the left flank and Pale knocked it over the crossbar from 12 yards out.
Things were more or less the same in the second half and five minutes into it Marwein doubled Langsning’s lead. It was Khongstia again who did the hard work, running up the right and clipping the ball for Marwein, whose knee connected with the ball and sent it across the line in the 51st minute.
Then, 10 minutes later, Khongstia was sent off. It all happened when he was passed the ball by keeper Frolicson Dkhar and was put under pressure by Shadap. Khongstia hurriedly tried to clear the ball but hit it straight into Shadap and the latter sped forward for the rebound. Khongstia then made a grab for Shadap and fouled him.
Being reduced to 10 men didn’t really disturb Langsning’s game, though. Even with a two-goal lead they still chased after more and bagged it in the 82nd minute when Kynsaibor Lhuid broke forward. He passed it Marwein, who passed it in turn to Pale, who tapped the ball into the net from close range.
The final match of the first leg will be held on Saturday between MLP and Malki. This was the game that was supposed to be held on 20th August, but which was abandoned.
(TSR photo. Meghalaya Police are in red, Langsning in white)
