Shillong, Mar 23: Honours were even in today’s Shillong Premier League 2023 match, with Mawlai SC and Ryntih SC playing out a 1-1 draw.
Khrawkupar Jana (46’) scored first for Mawlai, Yami Longvah (66’) then equalised for Ryntih in the Mawlai Derby.
Reigning champions Mawlai might be disappointed by a few missed opportunities while Ryntih will rue two goals being disallowed for offside. Nevertheless, both sides should be pleased with their overall performance that gave the fans an entertaining 90 minutes in what was the last match of the final round.
David Lalchhuanawma felt he had given the lead to Ryntih in the 16th minute but the assistant had his flag up. Pynbha Suting then fired in a scorcher at the opposite end of the pitch but it was just slightly too high.
Ryntih’s new goalkeeper Frolicson Dkhar then made a couple of super sharp saves to deny Mawlai and 0-0 was how the first half ended.
Frolicson could do nothing about Khrawkupar’s stunning goal, however, which came just 30 seconds after the restart. The blazing left-footer stunned the crowd and Ryntih, who may have been a little too casual at the beginning of the action.
The game meandered a little after that until Pynbha almost added another for Mawlai, though he could not quite reach a lovely cross across the face of goal on the hour.
A minute later Remark Kharmalki had an opening with Frolicson coming way out to try and stop him. The Mawlai No. 9 was able to get past the gloveman but enough Ryntih defenders had managed to track back and the attack fizzled.
Soon after that Yami had his goal, the equaliser coming after he rounded a defender and then Mawlai goalie Siwel Rymbai to fire the ball in.
Mawlai came close twice more, with substitute Baiaikara Swer hitting the woodwork before Brolington Warlarpih’s delicious curling free-kick was punched away by a diving Frolicson.
The even contest saw Ryntih also end with a couple of chances, with Wanshan Dkhar’s would-be goal denied for offside before a corner kick led to a real melee before desperate defending from Mawlai managed to clear the danger away.
Nangkiew Irat SC and Nongthymmai SC will play in Monday’s match at 3pm. Nangkiew Irat had won their opener, while Nongthymmai had lost theirs.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Mawlai in yellow, Ryntih in white)