Shillong, May 17: Niaw Wasa United netted their first points of the Meghalaya State League 2023 with a 2-0 victory over Rymbai Iawpynsing SC at the Kiang Nangbah Stadium in Jowai today despite being reduced to 10 men.
Sandeep Siangshai (45’+3) put Niaw Wasa into the lead seconds before the conclusion of the first half of the Group B game while Dashngain Sukhlain (82′) put more distance between his team and Rymbai with a late strike.
This was the only game of the day as the other three smaller groups (Jowai has seven participating teams compared to the six each of Group A, C and D) had a rest day to give enough time to the players to recharge.
The first goal came about after a kick of the ball by the Rymbai goalkeeper following a brief halt in play went straight to a player from Niaw Wasa and he worked the ball up the pitch. It was then laid on for Siangshai by Owanijuh Pajuh and the former then hooked it into the net with his left foot.
Pajuh went close in the early part of the second half by smacking the woodwork and, at the other end, Rymbai’s Kiming Dkhar sent a strong shot straight to the keeper following a rebound by a team mate off the crossbar.
Niaw Wasa were reduced to 10 players on the pitch in the 66th minute after Skhemthik Salahe was sent off for a second bookable offence. The corresponding free-kick on the edge of the box was completely wasted, however, as it was sent high over the post.
In the 82nd minute, out of nowhere, a loose touch by Rymbai gifted the ball to Siangshai who put it through for Dashngain Sukhlain in the box and the latter guided it away from the reach of the goalkeeper to double Niaw Wasa’s lead and seal the result in favour of the MSL 2017-18 champions.
(Meghalaya Football Association photo: Niaw Wasa (yellow/black) vs Rymbai Iawpynsing (blue))
