Shillong, Sep 21: PFR Academy won 1-0 in Group B of the Shillong Sports Association’s Second Division 2024 at First Ground, Polo, here today as 10-man Marbisu SC completely lost their cool.
The other match of the day, also in Group B, saw Jongksha SC ease past Mylliem Lum SC 3-0, ending the latter’s two-game winning streak.
PFR scored in the 32nd minute through Robi Maring but Marbisu let themselves down in the second half by failing to control their emotions. It all began when their goalkeeper was sent off with a direct red card for handling the ball outside the box. It was Marbisu’s contention that he had done so inadvertently but the referee felt that he had deliberately grabbed at it in order to prevent the ball getting past him.
PFR weren’t able to make their advantage in numbers count and Marbisu, while feisty, were in a sour mood. The worst of it came after one of their players felt he had been fouled in the box but neither the referee nor his assistant agreed. That led to five minutes of arguing with the match officials by Marbisu players and staff.
And to cap it all, the referee appeared to have been struck in the groin after being confronted by Marbisu players at the final whistle, though whether this was intentional or accidental TSR can’t say.
This was Marbisu’s second straight loss and first win for PFR, who are in fourth place with 4 points. Marbisu are fifth with 3.
Later, Jongksha easily supplanted Mylliem Lum with one goal each by Basuk Bina (24′), Robert Khongjoh (28′) and Iohbor Nonglyer (71′).
Basuk has proven to be the most consistent of scorers so far with a goal in each of the three matches Jongksha have played and all have come in the first half.
There are now three teams on 6 points each – Jongksha, Mylliem Lum and Nongkrem, though Nongkrem have a game in hand over the other two.
Monday’s fixtures:
Second Division – Group A – Sohiong SC vs Imson SC, 12PM, First Ground
Second Division – Group A – Umphrup SC vs Meghalaya Police, 3PM, First Ground
(TSR photos. Featured photo – PFR Academy in white/blue, PFR goalkeeper in red/blue, Marbisu SC in blue/black)