Shaibor Nongrum’s brace gave Nangkiew Irat SC a hard fought 2-1 victory against Sawmer SC in the second match of the Shillong Premier League 2023 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today.
Shaibor struck in the 62nd and 83rd minutes, on either side of substitute Diego Khriam’s 70th minute goal for Sawmer.
Both sides were a little ragged in the first half, though they each had their moments.
Banshanlang Nongdhar sent one wide in the 23rd minute for a missed Nangkiew Irat opportunity and two minutes later his team mate M Nikhil Raj volleyed a strong shot but this was punched away by Sawmer goalkeeper Pyrshangbanbha Dkhar.
Nikhil had a better day than most but found himself denied yet again when his lob clipped the crossbar in the 34th minute.
Sawmer’s redoubtable Gamelial Kharlyngdoh provided the last bit of action in the first half. In stoppage time he had a chance to put his club in front but the bounce was not in his favour and the shot went wide.
More chances went abegging early in the second session but a Sawmer slip-up handed Shaibor his first goal as he was able to go one-on-one with the goalie and put it past Pyrshangbanbha for the opener.
It was around the same time yesterday that Rangdajied United FC scored against Nongthymmai SC but that match only had one goal in it.
Today was different in that Diego found the equaliser for Sawmer from the right flank as he fed a powerful shot through a narrow gap at the near post to get past Nangkiew Irat custodian Vanlalhriata Chhangte.
However, Sawmer would be denied any points with Shaibor’s thunderous strike with less than 10 minutes left on the clock. He had pulled off a similar shot in the 2022 SPL – leaping into the air to nail a high ball into the back of the net.
It was a decent performance overall for Sawmer on their return to the SPL but they will want to up their game further in the second round. Nangkiew Irat, meanwhile, will be thoroughly pleased to get their campaign off to a winning start.
The next match in SPL 2023 will take place on Friday between Shillong Lajong FC and Langsning FC at 3pm.
