Shillong, Jan 8: Defending champions Mawlai SC were not at their best but got the result they wanted with a 1-0 win against Langsning FC in the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2024 at First Ground, Polo, here on Wednesday.
Khrawkupar Jana scored the lone goal in the 70th minute after Langsning frustrated the leaders for more than an hour.
The average number of goals per game this season is 3.15 but the last four matches have only seen three scored in total. The win takes Mawlai to 19 points from seven games, 3 points clear of second-placed Shillong Lajong. Langsning remain in eighth spot on 7 points, tied with Nongthymmai SC but in front thanks to their better head-to-head record.
Langsning had the very first shot on target in only the second minute but Daohipaia Rymbai’s attempt was blocked by Mawlai goalkeeper Lambhamiki Lamare.
Mawlai’s Baiaikara Swer later attempted a repeat of the sensational long-distance strike that won his team’s last game against Laitkor SC but he was further away this time and his effort was too high. Arkibor Makhroh was then denied when Langsning keeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh dived to punch away a powerful shot on goal.
Mawlai were pushed to make two substitutions in the first half itself, bringing on the experienced Donlad Diengdoh and Dibinroy Nongspung but they could not make a dent in the proceedings.
It took until the second half for Mawlai to really make their presence felt, with Langsning unable to hold the ball for any great length of time. That put their midfield and defence under enormous pressure and they finally cracked in the 70th minute when some neat passing by Mawlai led to Baiakara taking the ball deep up the left inside the box. He drew out Rajat Paul before passing to Khrawkupar, who then only had to nudge the ball into an open goal.
The OC Blue SPL will return on January 14 when Rangdajied United FC take on Sawmer SC at 11am. That will be followed the same day by Lajong versus Laitkor at 2:30pm.
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