Nangkiew Irat twice came from a goal down to take a point against Langsning in a 2-2 draw in the sixth match of the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2021-22 at Third Ground, Polo, here today.
Langsning scored through Ronney Kharbudon (41’) and Kynsaibor Lhuid (71’). Nangkiew Irat scored via Lambor Nongsiej (45’+3) and an own goal by Batskhem Thangkhiew (88’).
It was a much-changed Nangkiew Irat that took the field after the 2-0 loss to Mawlai last week, with Nongsiej, Chanmitre Thma, Apborlang Kurbah and Rapborlang Marwein all starting today. Langsning, who beat Shillong Lajong 1-0 in their opener, made two changes, with Kitboklang Pale and new signing Batskhem Thangkhiew in the first XI.
Nangkiew Irat almost had a dream start when the ball was given away by the opposition in the second minute but Shaibor Nongrum tapped it over the crossbar.
After that, Langsning piled on the pressure and it paid off in the 41st minute with the opening goal. Lhuid stepped up to take a free-kick, which he neatly put into the box for right-back Kharbudon to tap in.
With the lead in hand, the 2017 and 2018 OC Blue SPL champions appeared to take things a little too casually as they waited for half time and, in a glaring error, the defence opened up in stoppage time. Thma fired the ball on target into an empty net but it was Nongsiej who got the final touch on the ball before it crossed the line and he was awarded the goal.
After what must have been a good talking to during the break, Langsning came out stronger in the second session, with Kharbudon going wide with a header early on before Figo Syndai smashed the horizontal following a sharp Lhuid cross.
However, on the hour mark, it was near disaster once again for Langsning as goalkeeper Frolicson Dkhar collected what the referee judged was a back-pass from Ambilstar Sun and Nangkiew Irat were awarded an indirect free-kick from within the box, which ultimately proved unsuccessful.
A mistake by the goalkeeper at the other end, Guidle Syiemlieh, then led to Langsning’s second goal. Syiemlieh, who was not shy of coming way off his line, bundled over an opposition player and conceded a foul outside the penalty arc. Lhuid cleverly aimed his kick low, skirting under the leaping players in the wall and into the back of the net.
Behind once again, Nangkiew tried to get back on level pegging and Damanbha Chyne came close in the 86th minute when a powerful shot hit the bar again. Two minutes later, though, his cross from the left flank ended up being headed in by Langsning’s Thangkhiew, which restored parity and eventually gave Nangkiew Irat a hard-fought point against Langsning, who despite plenty of talent, look like they need a good shaking up if they want to get their hands back on the trophy.
The next game will be between Mawkhar and Malki on Friday. Last week, Malki lost to Ryntih while Mawkhar snatched a point against Rangdajied United.
