Ryntih SC took down Mawkhar SC 3-1 in the 11th match of the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2021-22 at Third Ground, Polo, here today.
All four goals came in the second half, starting with a brace for Bickyson Kharkongor (48’, 58’) before Mawkhar responded through super sub Banehskhem Khongsdam (60’). Ryntih weathered intense pressure and then snatched a late goal through Hardy Cliff Nongbri (90’+3).
It was a slow start from the two teams, both of which were looking for a win after suffering defeats in their previous outings. Ryntih, at least, had won their opener 3-0 against Malki, while Mawkhar were still looking for their first victory in their debut season of the OC Blue SPL.
The pace of the game picked up immediately with the start of the second half, with Mawkhar’s Justerwell Tham placing a shot on target but it took a deflection and went out for a corner.
In the 48th minute a Ryntih ball was hoicked forwards and headed back by Mawkhar in the direction of Dawanchwa Challam. He fed the ball through to Ryntih team mate Dawanplielad Myrchiang who unselfishly passed it to the open Kharkongor to score.
Almost immediately afterwards, Challam had his own opportunity to double the lead but his header hit the upright.
Ryntih did not have to wait long for that second goal, however. A corner kick bounced around in the box for a while as Mawkhar struggled to clear it before Mebankhraw Wahlang, who had three previous header attempts go wide, finally got one on target when the ball was knocked in his direction by Challam but Widenstar Kharsati, Mawkhar’s goalkeeper, palmed it away but only a yard or so near the post and Kharkongor made no mistake from close range.
With a two-goal cushion Ryntih may have slackened a little and that opened up the way for Mawkhar to pull a goal back.
The ball was casually given away to Mawkhar’s Pynshailang Kharduid who ran up the left flank and released his cross just as Ryntih keeper Luckystar Lawai committed himself to a tackle. The onrushing Banehskhem Khongsdam, who had come on as a substitute just before Ryntih’s second goal, tapped the ball in.
After that Mawkhar piled on the pressure and it almost appeared as though Ryntih were a little taken aback by how vigorous the assault was.
Bansanbha Khongsdam produced a lovely little move into the box in the 72nd minute but Arlangky Nongsiej’s header missed the target by a whisker. Charles Lyngdoh then attempted a shot, which swirled in the air but was nicely gathered by the young Lawai, who has spent the last three years on a full scholarship at the Atletico Madrid Academy in Spain.
The last minute of regulation time saw two Mawkhar attempts denied and their high pressing meant that they were vulnerable to Ryntih counterattacks. One such move eventually led to the fourth goal of the game, when Robert Khongjoh assisted Nongbri with an inch perfect cross.
Ryntih now have 6 points, tied with Mawlai, while Mawkhar are at the bottom of the standings with 1 point from three outings.
Tomorrow was originally meant to be a rest day but it will be used to play out the remaining minutes of the Mawlai SC versus Shillong Lajong FC match, which had to be abandoned after 62 minutes on 21 June due to waterlogging at Third Ground. Mawlai lead that match 1-0. The restart will be at 4:30pm.
