Shillong, Jun 12: Malki went down fighting 2-1 to Nangkiew Irat in the second match of the U-18 Shillong Premier League 2018 here today.
With persistent drizzle throughout the 90 minutes, it wasn’t plain sailing for either side, but Nangkiew seized the initiative in the sixth minute when a cross into the Malki box was bunted into the net from close range by Aplang Buam.
A cross from the right flank led to the second goal as well, but this time Malki goalkeeper Frankly Surong managed to palm it away only for the ball to fall into the path of Hiamdorlang Mairom, who slammed the rebound into the net in the 19th minute.
Malki weren’t clinical enough in their touches and passes and that meant that they couldn’t find a way back in the first half.
Perhaps spurred on by the words of their coach and renowned Meghalaya midfielder Rocus Lamare during the half time break, Malki came out the stronger in the second half and looked like posing more of a danger to Nangkiew, but the latter held them off right until the 87th minute when Donborlang Mawkhiew also scored off a rebound.
Despite desperately looking for another goal in order to come away with a point Malki couldn’t find it and were consigned to defeat by Nangkiew Irat, who marked their return to the competition (they weren’t part of it last year) with a welcome victory.
Tomorrow 2017’s runners-up Langsning will take on Rangdajied United at 3:30PM.
