Shillong, August 28: A clinical performance from Nangkiew Irat saw them defeat Sawmer 5-1 in the Shillong Premier League 2025 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today.
Himanshu Patil (15’, 42’), Ronaldkydon L Nonglait (46’, 50’) and Banshanlang Nongdhar (48’) struck for Nangkiew Irat, while Bisharlang Mawthoh (18’) provided Sawmer’s lone goal.
Their third win in a row means that Nangkiew Irat maintain their hold on first place in the SPL 2025 standings and they now have 9 points. Sawmer, on 3 points, slipped one spot from sixth to seventh as their goal difference is now worse than Malki’s (-4 to -6).
Both sides played a slow and measured game to start with but Nangkiew Irat looked the more comfortable while Sawmer appeared to be wary of their more fancied opponents.
The first goal saw Himanshu race up the right as he was fed a through ball. Sawmer were hopeful more than anything else of him being offside but the assistant referee’s flag stayed down and Himanshu was able to score with only goalkeeper Pyrshangbanbha Dkhar to beat.
The lead did not last long, however, as Rijied Sun won a battle with Dibinroy Nongspung for the ball at the far end of the pitch and passed for Bisharlang to score from 6 yards out.
Sawmer were hopeful of maintaining the equilibrium until half time but Himanshu then found his second goal following a cross from the left flank by Edyvenson Dhar in the 42nd minute.
The lead was slim, though, and that promised for a lively second half. The restart was certainly stunning as Nangkiew Irat rushed out of the blocks and scored three goals in the space of just five minutes.
Himanshu provided two assists this time, with Ronaldkydon scoring from both crosses in similar fashion. Half time substitute Banshanlang also found the back of the net in less than three minutes after entering the pitch.
After that, it was only to be expected that Nangkiew Irat would settle down and see the game off. That ability is somewhat lacking in local as well as national football but Nangkiew Irat did well to pass the ball around and not lose possession. Sawmer still had a few attempts but they were all from distance as they were unable to pierce the defence and none of these efforts really troubled Nangkiew Irat goalkeeper Surjay Kumar Pariyar.
Tomorrow will witness a match at 4:30pm between local giants Langsning and Mawlai, who are third and fourth respectively at the moment.
