Shillong, Jul 10: Laitkroh held off a spirited Mawshbuit to qualify from Group A for the second round of the Shillong Sports Association’s U-20 Fourth Division 2025 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground here today.
Laitkroh won the intense contest 2-1 to take second place in the group. The other match of the day was between Pynthorbah and Nongkohlew in a fight to avoid the wooden spoon of Group B and Pynthorbah won that match 3-0.
Before today Mawshbuit were leading Laitkroh on goal difference and so only needed a draw from this encounter, the last match of Group A.
However, they went behind after Seibok Kharkongor (7′) scored for Laitkroh from a very quickly taken corner kick. Lurshai Wankhar (27′) was able to equalise 20 minutes later by lobbing the goalkeeper Fernandes Synrem but Laitkroh retook the lead before half time with a long-range perfectly accurate free-kick by Cleaning Nongkynrih (40’+1).
The second half saw both sides come close, though it was Mawshbuit that had the bulk of the chances. Too often, though, they were foiled, either by Laitkroh’s defence and goalie or through mistakes of their own. They were also unhappy about several offside calls, though these all involved very fine margins.
Earlier, Iakibanpynshai Rani (40’+1) and Eshwameda O Shyrnang (80’+2, 80’+4) were the scorers in Pynthorbah’s first win of the season. Victory ensured they finished Group B in third place, overtaking Mawlyngngad.
Tomorrow’s fixtures:
Pommura vs Mawphlang, Group D, 1:30PM
Dilingiem vs Mawkasiang, Group C, 4PM
(TSR photo. Laitkroh celebrate their first goal)