Shillong, Aug 20: A 61st minute goal by Sheen Sohktung gave Ryntih a 1-0 win over Laban in the opening match of the Shillong Premier League 2019 at the JN Stadium here today.
The highly-anticipated contest was very well-attended, with the stadium largely packed with Ryntih fans.
Both sides are new to the SPL, with Ryntih gaining a slot through auction and Laban promoted from the First Division. While it has been known for a while which players Ryntih was banking on for this season, Laban’s signings were more hush-hush and the squad they fielded bore little resemblance to the one last year, with numerous players from around the country signed up.
Ryntih had the better opportunities in the first half but couldn’t even find a shot on target. They were the much more impressive team, however, working well together on the pitch, in contrast to Laban, who weren’t clicking nearly as well.
Early on in the second half Laban’s Eijingmut Lyngdoh struck the crossbar in the 50th minute and Sohktung would do the same at the other end for Ryntih a few minutes later.
A break up the pitch in the 61st then saw Sohktung smash a powerful left-footer that left the Laban goalkeeper unable to even try to keep it out. His team mates Reson Malngiang and Robert Khongjoh would have chances of their own 10 minutes later and Sohktung would have another two shots blocked by the goalkeeper in the remaining minutes.
Tomorrow Rangdajied United are scheduled to face Nongrim Hills at 3:30PM.
(TSR photo. Ryntih are in pink, Laban in white)
