Shillong, Sep 10: A penalty taken by Aiborlang Khongjee saw Rangdajied United defeat Ryntih 1-0 in the Shillong Premier League at the JN Stadium here today.
The penalty was for a handball in the box and Khongjee converted it in the 90th minute.
The start of the match was subdued, but the plentiful Ryntih fans were given something to cheer when Sheen Sohktung went close with a free-kick in the 12th minute, only denied by the work of Rangdajied goalkeeper Padam Chettri.
Buoyed by their fans, Ryntih looked the more dangerous, but they couldn’t find a finishing shot that would put them into the lead. Rangdajied, meanwhile, came closest in the first 45 minutes when Mebankhraw Wahlang’s header to meet a Khongjee free-kick was blocked by Ryntih goalie Maitshaphrang Kharumnuid in the dying seconds of the half.
After the break Ryntih’s fans were again very vocal after Allen Lyngdoh Nongbri headed a Sohktung cross onto the crossbar. Milancy Khongstia on the right also looked very dangerous for Ryntih, sprinting up the flank and deliver exquisite crosses into the box time and again.
Reson Malngiang then went way over in the 76th minute when one-on-one with Chettri and the match appeared to be heading for yet another goalless draw (there have already been three this season).
However, a handball in the box by a Ryntih player saw referee Christopher Syiemiong point to the spot and Khongjee converted the penalty, sending the ball low past Kharumnuid, who had guessed the wrong way.
We then had more than seven minutes of stoppage time but there was no way for Ryntih to draw level and Rangdajied thus overtook them in the standings, leading Ryntih eight points to six.
Tomorrow Nongrim Hills are scheduled to face Langsning at 3:30PM.
(TSR photo. Rangdajied United are in blue, Ryntih are in pink)
