An incredible set of matches today brought this week’s action in the Meghalaya State League 2023 to a close, with both Mawlai and Ladthadlaboh winning their respective fixtures after going behind in Shillong and Jowai.
In the other two results of the day, Khliehmawlieh Youth Club registered a 1-0 win over Chipakkore in front of a packed Chandmari Ground in Tura, while Pyndengrei and Lumdiengngan were involved at the MDSA Ground in Mawkyrwat where Lumdiengngan won 1-0.
It was a clash of giants in Shillong, with Mawlai taking on Langsning in Group A at the MFA Turf, eventually winning it 2-1.
Banteilang Lyngdoh scored in the 39th minute for Langsning, with the ball played to him by the fleet-footed Kynsaibor Lhuid and their team went into the break leading 1-0.
The second half saw Brolington Warlarpih deliver a free-kick into the box. Langsning’s young goalkeeper Lambhamiki Lamare came well off his line to try and punch the danger away but the ball swerved in the air and he could not deal with it properly, leading to a short melee from where Donlad Diengdoh scored from close range by hooking the ball into the net in the 63rd minute.
Similarly, in the 77th minute Warlarpih lofted another free-kick into the Langsning box and Lamare was unable to deal with the ball again, leading to Robert Khongriah scoring. With the win, Mawlai lead Group A with 6 points and thus have a strong hold on first place.
Over in Jowai, Rymbai Iawpynsing twice took the lead against Ladthadlaboh but the latter fought back to win the Group B contest 3-2 at the Kiang Nangbah Stadium.
Rymbai earned a penalty after a handball in the box with less than a minute on the clock and it was converted with ease by Heismiki Rymbai (2’), who put the ball low past the goalkeeper. Ladthadlaboh had to chase after that and found the equaliser after a confusing period of play when a Rymbai player was adjudged to have handled the ball despite him arguing that he was merely stopping its movement in order to take a free-kick. The referee’s ruling stood, however, and Ladthadlaboh equalised via Teibokmi Lyngdoh (27’). Incredibly, there were another three penalties during the course of the game and none of these were converted.
A busy last few minutes then saw Heismiki find another goal in the 79th minute by volleying in a cross but Ladthadlaboh’s Thinkwell Bareh (88′) blasted the ball into the net following a corner kick to make it 2-2 less than 10 minutes later.
The astounding football match did not end there, however, as deep in stoppage time Phrangsngi Pakem (90’+3) flicked in a header off a delightful cross to complete a remarkable comeback. Victory means that Ladthadlaboh join Rangdajied United on 7 points each but the latter, for the moment, have a better goal difference of +8 compared to to +6.
Group D witnessed a rather testy match at times between Chipakkore and Khliehmawlieh as both teams threw everything they could into getting three points. In the end, however, the evenly contested match boiled down to just one mistake that separated the two sides.
It all came about after a Chipakkore defender tried to marshal a Khliehmawlieh through ball into his goalie team mate’s gloves but the latter misjudged it and spilled the ball, allowing Bantei Mawlot to score in front of an open goal in the 83rd minute.
That rather fortuitous moment gave Khliehmawlieh full points and they now lead Group D with 6 from two outings.
Monday’s fixtures:
Group A, Shillong – Seng Samla Laitryngew vs Jyntru, 3pm
Group B, Jowai – Niaw Wasa United vs Youth Club Pdengkarong, 2:30pm
Group C, Mawkyrwat – Riangdo YSCA vs Mawten, 3pm
Group D, Tura – Wa’sa FC vs Warima Youth Club, 3pm
