Shillong, May 23: Reduced to 10 men in the second half, Langsning FC still managed to qualify for the semifinals from Group B in the 5th Meghalaya State League after beating Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC 4-2 in their quarterfinal league stage match today.
Atlanson Kharmaw (32′), Samuel Phawa (41′), Dajiedlang Wanshnong (70′) and Mecheal Roy Kurbah (90’+2) scored for Langsning, while Iaishah Bareh (48′) and Harita Suchen (90’+5) did so for Shkenshynriah.
Atlanson scored from a well-placed free-kick to get things going for Langsning before Samuel went one on one with stand-in goalkeeper Yooluty Dkhar to double the lead.
Shkenshynriah suffered from moments of indecision even when they got themselves into good positions but minutes into the second half they clawed a goal back and brought themselves back into contention; Iaishah managed to flick the ball into the net with the outside part of his boot before it went out of play.
Langsning, though, restored their two-goal lead when Dajiedlang tapped home from a diagonal ball. It was in the celebrations that he got into a scuffle with a Shkenshynriah player and Dajiedlang was sent off with a red card.
Despite being a man up, the team from East Jaintia Hills could not capitalise, though there were a still a couple of goals to come in stoppage time, via Mecheal for Langsning and Harita for Shkenshynriah.
In the earlier game, Nangkiew Irat SC did what they had to do to remain in the fight for the semifinals by seeing off Maram FC 3-1. Justerwell Tham (28′, 59′) scored once in either half along along with Neblejohn Lyngkhoi (82′) for Nangkiew Irat. Maram’s lone goal came after that through Threesbirth Momin (86′).
The game could have been far more competitive if Maram’s solidly built Dipen Daimary had managed to convert even a few of his many chances but he was foiled or committed errors at every opportunity.
In the standings, Langsning have 12 points and are sure to be one of the Top 2 teams. Shkenshynriah and Nangkiew Irat are tied on 9 points but the former has head-to-head advantage. Their meeting on Tuesday will thus decide who goes through to the semifinals. Maram, meanwhile, are bottom with 0 points.
On Monday, the last round of Group A quarterfinal matches will take place. At 2pm Rangdajied United FC will face Shillong Lajong FC and at 6pm Mawlai SC will take on Nongkseh SSCC. Although Lajong and Nongkseh have already confirmed their places in the semifinals, these matches will determine which of the two tops Group A and which is second.
