Shillong, Sep 29: Nangkiew Irat climbed back to the top of the Shillong Premier League 2025 standings with a dominant 5-0 victory against Malki at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here this evening.
Ronaldkydon L Nonglait (39’), Jefferson Pakyntein (58’), Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw (63’), Himanshu Patil (69’) and Banshanlang Nongdhar (90’+2P) scored a goal each in their club’s cause.
Nangkiew Irat now have 13 points, one more than Mawlai, though the latter have a game in hand. Malki remain in eighth place, just out of the relegation zone, with 6 points. This is the third time this season that they have conceded five goals in a match.
Nangkiew Irat had only garnered one point from their previous two outings and were looking to recharge their campaign. But it was actually Malki who had the first real chances in the game, with Elishar Ryntathiang forcing Nangkiew Irat goalkeeper Surjay Kumar Pariyar into making a sharp save in the 17th minute before Cannyson Kharnaior had a shot deflected for a corner in the 30th.
A few minutes after Wallamsuk was denied by a defender, Ronaldkydon slotted the ball low past Malki keeper Franklin Surong, going for placement over power.
The second half is where Nangkiew Irat came alive, with Malki defending desperately early on to keep them at bay. Then came the opening of the floodgates as Franklin made an error to hand Nangkiew Irat their second goal. The goalie had just made a save and wanted to roll the ball to a team mate but sent it directly into the path of Jefferson, who made no mistake in converting the gift.
Wallamsuk then scored with a left-footer before Himanshu struck a goal on the run as he powered past the Malki defenders. That looked like it would be it for Nangkiew Irat as coach Joseph Naik brought on several substitutes but there was still one goal in the game, which came about after Wallamsuk was fouled in the box; Banshanlang Nongdhar converted the penalty with ease in stoppage time.
Malki’s only real opportunity of the second half came via Justerwell Tham, who struck the upright in the 86th minute.
Tomorrow will feature another match between teams at opposite ends of the points table with bottom side Nongrim Hills set to face fifth-placed Langsning at 4:30pm.
