Shillong, Sep 22: Shillong Lajong moved to second place in the Shillong Premier League 2018 points table with a 2-0 victory over Malki at the SSA Stadium here today.
Naorem Mahesh Singh put Lajong in front in the 25th minute, followed by a Kenstar Kharshong goal in the 65th.
Lajong now have 16 points from eight games, one point ahead of Rangdajied United. Malki, meanwhile, remain in fifth place with seven points.
This match had to be postponed from its original 14th September date due to heavy rain making play impossible that day.
The ground was boggy today as well after rains earlier in the day and there wasn’t much that happened in the first 20 minutes or so worth reporting. Despite eventually winning even Lajong weren’t at their best today, with mis-passes from both teams a regular occurrence. SLFC also weren’t under that much pressure in the first half, with Malki appearing timid.
In the 25th minute Phrangki Buam sent in a nice long ball for Naorem on the right. The No. 13, who has normally been used this season as a substitute, then swerved past Dennelson Pyngrope and drew out goalkeeper Sbing Chyrmang before getting past him. He then appeared to dither about whether to take the shot or not but eventually did, squeezing it between three Malki players and into the net.
Malki had their chances in the game, usually created by the fine No. 12 Primrose Lamat, but none of these came off.
Just before the second goal Kharshong struck the crossbar with a blinding left-footer and he would then go on to convert his second chance in the 65th minute.
That came about after a looping free-kick taken by Samuel Lalmuanpuia missed everybody and came off the upright and back into play, which allowed Kharshong to smash it across the line.
The game was marred in the 90th minute when Malki’s Ronnie Nongbri was fouled by Lalrohlua. Nongbri then proceeded to charge the Lajong player, knocking him to the ground, and the Malki midfielder was red-carded.
On Monday at 3:15PM bottom club Sawmer will take on leaders Langsning.
(TSR photo. Malki are in blue, Shillong Lajong in white)
