Rangdajied United FC won a thriller 4-2 against Ryntih SC to take provisional second place in the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2021-22 standings at Third Ground, Polo, here today.
Donboklang Lyngdoh (45’+2, 57’), Niawkorlang Kyndiah (48’P) and Wansiewdor Nengnong (82’) scored for the winners, while Ryntih made things difficult for Rangdajied with goals by Ebormi Buam (25’) and Sheen Sohktung (63’).
With 28 points, RUFC have taken back second place in the standings and that will mean that Langsning FC (25 points) will have to beat Mawlai SC in the season-ending match on Friday in order to get the runners-up slot.
Coming into today’s fixture, Rangdajied were third with 25 points and Ryntih fifth with 17. Both needed at least a point to move up to second and fourth respectively. In the reverse fixture, Rangdajied had edged Ryntih 1-0 on 25 June.
Prior to kick-off, a minute’s silence was observed by match officials, players and others at the ground to honour the memory of Banshanlang Kharbyngar, a local referee who passed away on Friday.
It was Ryntih who took the lead in the 25th minute. A back pass to Rangdajied goalkeeper Ialamlang Biam was pinched from him and passed to Buam, who executed an easy tap-in.
Rangdajied, however, had the bulk of the chances in the first half but many of their attempts were lacking in accuracy. However, Lyngdoh got on the end of a volley in stoppage time and put it past Eric Nongkhlaw to go into the break with the score 1-1.
RUFC snatched the lead early in the second session after a foul in the box gave them a penalty, which was converted by captain Niawkorlang Kyndiah.
Lyngdoh bagged his brace later thanks to an assist by Raikutshisha Buam to make it 3-1 but Ryntih cut the lead down after Sohktung took advantage of a defensive lapse to find the back of the net.
Tempers were fraying by this point, such was the tension in the two teams. Rangdajied cracked first, though, with Samuel Shadap sent off for a second infraction with more than 20 minutes left on the clock.
Ryntih, however, could not make use of their advantage in numbers. They had to press high in order to try and get the equaliser but, in the end, it was they who conceded to Nengnong, who scored off an assist by substitute Denzil Warjri.
The next and final match of the OC Blue SPL 2021-22 will be held on Friday between Langsning FC and Mawlai SC, with kick-off at 3pm. This is to accommodate the prize distribution ceremony that will follow. The Honourable Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shri Banteidor Lyngdoh will be the chief guest on the occasion. Mawlai had won the first leg meeting against Langsning 2-0 on 27 June.
