Shillong, Oct 7: Donlad Diengdoh wasn’t shy about scoring against his former team as he pumped in the first hat-trick of the Shillong Premier League 2019 in Rangdajied United’s 4-2 victory over defending champions Langsning at the JN Stadium here today.
Diengdoh scored in the 38th, 76th and 81st minutes. Oresterwell Langshiang had scored Rangdajied’s opener in the 18th minute.
Iakmenlang Khongjee (21st) and Kynsaibor Lhuid (72nd) scored for Langsning.
It looked like it might be a game for the Young Turks with Langshiang turning in a delightful ball from the left past Langsning goalkeeper Frolicson Dkhar for the lead. Soon after, however, Khongjee stole the ball away from Rangdajied went up the pitch and smashed in a long-range equaliser. This happened to be the first goal that Rangdajied and their keeper Padam Chettri have conceded this season.
Diengdoh, though, was the stand-out player, impressing with his tireless energy and he got his reward in the 38th minute when he was fed a good through ball that he beat Dkhar to.
Trailing again Langsning worked hard at finding a second equaliser but they were continually frustrated by the RUFC defence. That is until they were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute for what looked like a handball and Lhuid converted from the spot to level proceedings.
Parity didn’t last long, though, as a Rangdajied free-kick, taken by captain Aiborlang Khongjee, from just outside the box was punched by a diving Dkhar onto the woodwork, which allowed Diengdoh to head in the rebound for his second to make it 3-2.
Behind for a third time in the match Langsning were pressing high and, in a swift counterattack, Diengdoh single-handedly ran all the way from his own half into the Langsning box and smashed home his hat-trick goal.
Rangdajied thus moved back to the top of the standings with 12 points, though Shillong Lajong (10 points) have a game in hand. Langsning (6), meanwhile, cling to fourth place.
On Thursday Laban are scheduled to face Nongrim Hills at 3PM.
(TSR photo. Langsning are in red, Rangdajied United in blue)
