By Royal Wahingdoh Media
SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC made a perfect start to their U-18 I-League zonal round campaign beating Sports Authority of India, Guwahati 3-0 in the opener played at the JN Stadium in Shillong on Friday morning.
It was a thoroughly professional show by the Royals who went into the lead as early as the fifth minute and followed it up with two more goals in the second half (48’ and 55th) to seal a comprehensive win.
Seiminmang Manchong (5’), Ajay Chhetri (48’) and Heibormi Talang (55’) were the scorers for the Royals.
Earlier, the hosts made a fine start to the game on a bright and warm morning at the picturesque JN Stadium. The efforts paid off with Manchong finding the back of the nets from inside the box after he received a fine cross from the right. Buoyed by the early breakthrough, the Royals took full control of the proceedings giving hardly any chance of a comeback to the visitors from Assam.
That the U-18 RWFC boys had stuck together for the last eight months was clearly visible from their coordinated effort on the pitch. The same, however, could not be said about SAI players who were founding wanting for most part of the first half.
The Royals, meanwhile, were hungry for more. Three minutes into the second half the hosts were awarded a penalty after Russel Lyngdoh was brought down inside the box. Skipper Ajay Chhetri rose up to the occasion and made no mistake to convert from the spot to double the lead.
Less than 10 minutes later Heibormi Talang made it 3-0 for his side with a skilful strike into the nets. A fine cross from Jerrymon Shylla from the left, found Talang at the edge of the box on the right. Talang made a swift move forward and curled in a fine left footer.
SAI never looked like making a comeback and it was left to the hosts to try and increase the lead further.
However, there was no change in the score line after the hour mark and the match ended in a comprehensive 3-0 victory for RWFC.
The Royals will next take on city rivals Shillong Lajong FC on November 5.
