By Royal Wahingdoh Media
SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC put up a clinical display to beat Assam rivals Guwahati FC 4-0 in a Zonal Round U-18 I-League match at the JN Stadium here on a bright Saturday morning.
The Royals rattled their opponents with late first half goals and followed it up with another couple of strikes at the nets in the second half to complete a comprehensive 4-0 win over the visitors.
While the first half spoils were shared by Suraj Rawat (43’) and skipper Ajay Chhetri (45+1), super sub Shaibor Nongrum scored a brace in the second half (72’ and 84’) after he was brought in for Heibormi Talang. It would have been a 5-0 victory for the hosts but the Ajay Chhetri strike at stoppage time in the second half hit the post much to the dismay of the home side.
Post the tie the Royals moved up to the second position in the points table behind only to Shillong Lajong FC on goal difference. While Lajong has played four matches, the Royals have only played three so far and look good to the top the table soon. Both the teams from Shillong are at 7 points each followed by SAI, Guwahati at 6 points, Guwahati FC at 3 while Rangdajied United FC are yet to open their account.
Earlier, the Royals started on a dominant note unwilling to share possession with the visitors who were left chasing shadows for most part of the game. The Royals created several openings all along but were unable to get that final touch on to the nets until the fag end of the first half.
It was in the 43rd minute that Suraj Rawat was fed brilliantly on the right. The RWFC No 10 made no mistake to convert from close range, shooting the ball to the far left corner of the nets.
Barely three minutes later, skipper Chhetri slammed in a scorcher from inside the box to double the lead at half time.
Shaken by the double strike, GFC were rendered further clueless when they took to the pitch after the break and even though the hosts continued to dominate, there was no change in the scoreboard till the hour mark.
However, a 71st minute substitution was to further change the course of the game for the Royals. No sooner had Nongrum replaced Talang he found himself in the thick of action. S Manchong made a swift run from the left to cross one at goal mouth. Shaibor, who was nearby, guided the ball home with a soft touch to take the lead to 3-0.
The super sub completed his brace with a spectacular goal in the 84th minute. A free kick from the right rebounded from the GFC backline. Shaibor hit an overhead kick from close range to complete a 4-0 rout of GFC.
The Royals could have as well gone home with a 5-0 win but a stoppage scorcher from Chhetri hit the right post as the captain lost out on his opportunity to score a brace.
Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly professional performance from RWFC who will next play another Shillong side Ranngdajied United on November 19.
