Shillong, Sep 15: Sister clubs Nangkiew Irat and Rangdajied United played out a 1-1 draw in the Shillong Premier League at the SSA Stadium here today.
Emerson Nongrud put Nangkiew in front in the 89th minute before Raikutshisha Buam equalised for Rangdajied off a corner (90+3′) in stoppage time.
The day after the Malki-Shillong Lajong game had to be cancelled because of excessive rain, conditions were better for today’s match after hot, sunny weather in Shillong dried up the pitch to some extent, though its condition was by no means ideal.
Rangdajied were dominant in terms of possession, grabbing as much as 69% in the first half, but couldn’t find a way through the Nangkiew defence.
Samson Nongrum went close in the 10th minute, but his attempt was over the crossbar.
The second half saw Nangkiew Irat put up a much stronger performance and Barman Roy Nongsiej was denied by a diving save from Padam Chettri in the 56th minute off a free-kick.
Nongrum almost turned provider for Wanlamsuk Nongkhlaw in the 61st minute. The former’s cross was perfect, but a sliding Nongkhlaw somehow missed the target from point-blank range.
The opening goal came about after Damehun Syih delivered a nice cross for Lambor Nongsiej, but his cheeky volley was blocked by Chettri, with the rebound falling into the lap of Nongrud to score his first goal of the tournament.
However, that wasn’t the end of the story, with RUFC earning a corner deep into stoppage time. It came in at the near post for Buam to head up and over Nangkiew goalkeeper Maitshaphrang Kharumnuid.
So, 1-1 is how it ended and that means that we’ve now had four draws in four matches at the SSA Stadium since the start of the second leg of SPL 2018.
On Monday Meghalaya Police will take on Sawmer at 5:30PM.
(TSR photo. Nangkiew Irat are in red, Rangdajied United in blue)
