Shillong Lajong, the defending champions of the Meghalaya State League (MSL) 2023, asserted their dominance as they soared to the summit of Group C with a resounding 5-1 triumph over Mawten. The match, held at the MDSA Ground in Mawkyrwat, showcased Lajong’s prowess and their determination to retain their title.
In another MSL encounter, the bottom-ranked teams of Group B, Sein Pynbhalang and Youth Club Pdengkarong, clashed at the Kiang Nangbah Stadium in Jowai. However, it was Youth Club Pdengkarong that emerged victorious, securing a convincing 4-1 win.
Lajong’s victory over Mawten marked their third match in the MSL 2023 campaign. With a perfect record of nine points, they overtook Seven United in the race to qualify for the semifinals from Group C. Seven United currently sits at eight points from four outings, making the competition intense.
The action-packed game saw an early breakthrough when Babysunday Marngar of Shillong Lajong scored in the second minute. Mawten, however, swiftly responded in the 21st minute with a goal from Oversharp Iawphniaw. This marked the first goal Lajong conceded in the tournament this season. Nevertheless, Hamedamanbha Wahlang of SLFC reclaimed the lead for his team just two minutes later (23′).
Before heading into halftime, Marngar struck again in the 37th minute, propelling Lajong to a comfortable 3-1 lead. The second half saw Hardy Cliff Nongbri showcasing his goal-scoring prowess by netting a brace in the 76th and 90+2nd minutes, cementing Lajong’s comprehensive victory.
Meanwhile, in Jowai, the clash between Pdengkarong and Sein Pynbhalang may not have held significant implications for the fight for first place, but both teams exhibited immense passion and delivered an exhilarating match.
Wanbor Langshiang emerged as a key player for Pdengkarong, scoring two goals in the fourth and 40th minutes. His teammate, Kindness Mukhim, mirrored his performance by also securing a brace in the 17th and 77th minutes. Sein Pynbhalang managed to find the back of the net once, courtesy of Paiabanteiskhem Bhoi in the 33rd minute.
Mukhim, who had an eventful game, came close to scoring on multiple occasions. He struck the crossbar and forced Rishanki Syngkon, the Sein Pynbhalang goalkeeper, to make several impressive saves. In the 40th minute, Mukhim executed an extraordinary flick with the outside of his boot, only to be denied by the upright. Yet, displaying incredible determination, Langshiang stretched his leg to redirect the rebound into the goal, creating what was arguably the most captivating goal of the match.
The MSL 2023 continues to captivate football enthusiasts with thrilling encounters and exceptional displays of skill. As Shillong Lajong soar to the top of Group C, their pursuit of retaining the championship intensifies, setting the stage for more gripping battles in the quest for MSL glory.