Earlier, Royal Wahingdoh’s Donborlang Nongkynrih scored a penalty in the 22^nd minute for the lead. Donborlang did well to beat two Lajong defenders but was brought down inside the penalty box. But the scores were levelled in the 33^rd minute when Wahingdoh’s Greatstar Nongneng scored an own goal to keep Lajong in the fray. Shillong Lajong, fighting for second place in the tournament, earned their second goal with a finish by F. Pachunn in the 40^th minute.

The Royals’ equaliser came in stoppage time (90+2) after Bibek Bhutia’s rebounded shot was collected by Donborlang whose attempt to find the goal from close range deflected off Lajong’s K. Khongsit and in the process, was officially declared an own goal against the Reds.

Royal Wahingdoh end their U-19 Shillong Premier League journey at fourth place while Nangkiew Irat were declared the winners of the tournament.

The team has been formed to provide young girls exposure through professional training in football and to groom young female football enthusiasts for future tournaments and coaching opportunities.

Earlier, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the junior Royals were unable to find a goal in the first half. But a second half assault by Donborlang, who has been having a dream run in the tournament, saw Wahingdoh get three past Langsning thereby increasing his team’s chances of making it to second place in the standings.

Donborlang’s first goal came in the 55th minute after he tapped in a cross by Karma before scoring his second in a similar fashion in the 78th minute. Going into stoppage time, Langsning gave away a penalty to allow the Royal Wahingdoh forward a chance of scoring a hat trick. Donborlang then eased his shot past Langsning’s keeper to fashion yet another Wahingdoh win.

Royal Wahingdoh’s next match will be against Shillong Lajong on July 2.

Earlier, Royal Wahingdoh keeper Nim Tenzing failed to hold on to two shots on goal that allowed Rangdajied a crucial lead under wet ground conditions. The first goal was scored by Atlanson Kharmaw in the 23rd minute before he doubled his side’s score in the 52nd minute with a long range shot.

Donborlang then narrowed the lead with a fine shot over the keeper’s head in the 78th minute as the U-19 Royals, who dominated possession, struggled to convert several chances.

Donborlang’s first goal came in just the 9^th minute before he added another two in the 20^th and 21^st minutes to take the junior Royals into half time with a 3-0 lead. Seven minutes into the second half, forward Maitshaphrang Nengnong sent a beautiful aerial cross from the right flank in front of a forward-diving Welbokstar Iawphniaw who headed the ball in for a fourth goal.

Maitshaphrang further reduced Boys Sports’ chances of a comeback with a tap in following a short pass inside the penalty area by fellow teammate Bibek Bhutia in the 57^th minute.  The final blow was delivered by Santosh Singh in the 77^th minute to make it 6-0 and ensuring Royal Wahingdoh three more crucial points.

Royal Wahingdoh will face Rangdajied United in their next game on June 21 at the same venue.

Striker Maitshaphrang Nengnong gave Wahingdoh the lead early on in the 18^th minute after beating the keeper. The lead was then doubled in the 37^th minute after Jerry Zonunsanga scored following a lapse in the Malki defence.

Malki, however, came back hard soon after the break and came close to scoring on a few occasions. They were finally rewarded in the 87^th minute through a goal by Shasbar Mawlong but conceded a third goal with Wahingdoh newcomer Donborlang Nongkynrih contributing a 90^th minute conversion.

The U-19 side looked a stronger lot after their first appearance against Nangkiew Irat on Tuesday where they lost 1-0, playing an attacking game especially in the first half.

Mebanshan Suting scored the decider by taking the penalty shot in the 72^nd minute while Wahingdoh’s keeper Nim Tenzing Lepcha’s valiant diving attempt to make a save went in vain. Nim Tenzing, however, made two spectacular saves, one in the 82^nd minute when he defied a close-range attempt by a Nangkiew attacker.

Wahingdoh’s next match is against Malki on June 13 at 4:15pm at the JN Sports Complex.

The Managing Director of Royal Wahingdoh FC Mr. Dominic Sutnga also gave a speech of thanks to the players, officials, besides Wahingdoh residents and well-wishers, saying “Without the support of our fans, none of this would have been possible.”

After the programme, a rally was carried out from the community hall, across the city before culminating at the same venue.

The match got off to a brisk start as Bhawanipore took the lead after their danger man Daniel Bidemi once again set them off on the right foot. Bidemi powered a well-timed shot into goal in the 23^rd minute before Jackichand Singh, finding himself in all the right places, placed a beautiful goal from outside the 18 yard box for Wahingdoh’s equaliser.

After a 1-1 score line at half time, the in-form Babatunde proved himself yet again with an unstoppable scorcher in the 57^th minute to give Royal Wahingdoh a crucial lead. Bhawanipore’s Jose Barretto, playing his final football match, was brought on in the second half to boost his side’s attack. Daniel Bidemi then headed in a Gurpreet free kick in the 75^th minute to bring Bhawanipore back in the game.

Just as the match appeared to be balanced, Bekay Bawar kept the crowd up on their feet after taking advantage of a misjudgment by Bhawanipore’s goalkeeper Debjit in the 87^th minute, before tapping the ball in for the decisive lead. Wahingdoh then held on for the last few minutes and at the end of stoppage time, ensured a closely-fought 3-2 win besides earning the distinction of being the only unbeaten team in this edition of the Second Division I-League.

Royal Wahingdoh FC coach Nandakumar Singh expressed his happiness after the match, saying “There was a lot of motivation from our well-wishers and we thank them. The boys gave everything and stuck to their guts until the very end. All credit goes out to them. We have finally fulfilled the hunger of all our fans and players. Mizoram supporters were also highly encouraging and that was part of what drove us to our desire for a win.”

Earlier,  Bekay gave his side an 18th minute lead after piercing the defence following a pass from Jackichand. The Liberian then took a solid shot that easily beat the keeper. Jackichand also looked dangerous throughout the first half after someone near misses.

The Manipuri midfielder, who has been in good touch this season, was finally rewarded in the 78th minute when he produced a left-footed lob that found the back of the nets. With only twelve minutes on the clock, the two goal deficit proved too much to handle for Kalighat and they were subsequently left stranded.

Royal Wahingdoh’s season decider against Bhawanipore will be on April 11 and is expected to be an absolute thriller.