Shillong, Aug 17: A 77th minute goal from Lambor Nongsiej was all that separated Nangkiew Irat from Sawmer, with the former winning 1-0 in the Shillong Premier League at the JN Stadium here today.
Before today these two sides were the lowest ranked in the SPL, but the game was still entertaining, though Nangkiew were in the ascendant.
The start of the match was preceded with a one minute’s silence in honour of former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday.
The action started straight after the first whistle, with Nangkiew’s Damehun Syih denied a goal in the second minute by an opposing defender.
Then, in the eighth minute Nangkiew had a free-kick and Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw headed in the delivery, but it was saved brilliantly by Sawmer goalkeeper Sunshine Kharmuti.
Justerwell Tham of Sawmer then had a double chance in the 19th minute, but his first attempt was blocked by a defender before Monlang Shylla parried his chip shot over the bar.
Sawmer started the second half in an aggressive mood, but they wilted after the first few minutes and only produced four shots on goal in the second spell, none of which were on target.
Nangkiew created plenty of good moves forward. In the few minutes before Nongsiej’s goal, Roikhih Nongtdu’s left-footer was denied by Kharmuti in the 71st minute and soon after Nongsiej struck a shot from close range right into the hands of the Sawmer custodian.
Nongsiej, who had come on as a second half substitute, finally found the back of the net in the 77th minute when the ball was passed to him from the edge of the box. He moved forward, getting past two defenders, before striking the ball towards the near post and this time Kharmuti couldn’t keep it out.
Tomorrow defending champions Langsning will take on Shillong Lajong at 3:45PM.
(TSR photo. Sawmer are in red, Nangkiew Irat in white)
