Shillong, May 14: After seven consecutive victories, Nangkiew Irat SC were stopped in their tracks by Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC who won 2-1 in their Group B match of the Super 8 stage in the 5th Meghalaya State League today.
Later, Langsning FC were comprehensive 7-0 winners against Maram FC, also in Group B.
Jefferson Pakyntein (39′) scored first for Nangkiew Irat but Shkenshynriah came right back in the second half with a couple of quick goals from Skilful Tariang (53′) and Hesmiki Rymbai (55′) in another demonstration of the breadth of talent that the MSL is uncovering.
A slight miscommunication between the Shkenshynriah goalkeeper and defender right in front of goal opened the way for Jefferson to score but the team from East Jaintia Hills did not let that get them down.
The game swung around very quickly indeed as, early in the second half, Skilful lived up to his name by neatly placing the ball out of reach of Nangkiew Irat goalie Emerald Dan low to his right. Then a ball was chipped into the area for Hesmiki and he was able to beat Emerald, who had come out of his position to try and cut off the Shkenshynriah forward. Hesmiki now has 8 goals to his name, the highest among his team mates.
In the other fixture, Maram had no answer to Langsning, who have now won eight games in a row. Dajiedlang Wanshnong’s 32nd minute free-kick beat everybody to put Langsning in front and Andy Joey Laloo (37′) then headed in a cross to double the lead minutes later.
Samuel Phawa (45’+1) got his first goal of the day just before the break and added his second (51′) soon after the restart.
Then it was the turn of Nelson Rymbai to find the mark. MSL 5’s top scorer added two more to his tally with goals in the 54th and 69th minutes (the latter via a penalty). He has now scored 17, including at least one in each of Langsning’s eight games.
Dajiedlang (80′) netted another before the end of the game as Maram were given a tough introduction to the business end of the tournament. They will have plenty more matches, however, to regroup and showcase the talent in their ranks that has gotten them this far.
Tomorrow, the four Group A teams will be back in action. At 11AM Rangdajied United FC will face Nongkseh SSCC and this will be followed by defending champions Mawlai SC against Shillong Lajong FC at 3PM. Both matches will take place at the MFA Ground.
(Meghalaya Football Association photo. Langsning in red, Maram in green-black)
