Shillong, Oct 22: Nongkseh Sport & Cultural Club registered a convincing 4–1 victory over Kuppuraj FC in their debut I-League 3 match at the SSA Football Stadium on Thursday evening, with a strong second-half performance helping them secure all three points.
Owanijuh Pajuh opened the scoring in the 38th minute before captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri netted twice in the 50th and 55th minutes. Ieitlang Syiemlieh added the fourth goal in the 58th minute, while Jaymz Bryan Pale scored a late consolation for Kuppuraj in the 88th minute.
The contest began evenly with both sides finding spaces and took shots at the goal but the momentum shifted towards Nongkseh post the first 15 minutes. Nongkseh settled into the match and began looking for opportunities to break forward. Their first attempt on target came within the opening five minutes, although the Kuppuraj goalkeeper was equal to the effort.
Nongkseh captain Hardy Nongbri led the team’s attacking play, finding his team’s first real chance in the 32nd minute with a corner, which however was headed over the crossbar by Kynsailang.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 38th minute. A superb assist by Kynsailang was converted into goal by Nongkseh’s latest signing Owanijuh Pajuh, who fired from the edge of the penalty box to put Nongkseh in the lead.
Kuppuraj attempted to respond before the interval and won a corner but was easily cleared by Nongkseh’s defence. Nongkseh also came close to extending their advantage when Hamedamanbha tried his luck in the 44th minute, but the effort missed the crossbar. Nongkseh went into half-time with a 1–0 lead.
The second half, however, proved decisive as Nongkseh took greater control of the match and quickly increased their advantage. Hardy Nongbri doubled the lead in the 50th minute, giving the hosts a strong start after the restart and putting Kuppuraj under additional pressure.
Nongbri struck again five minutes later, scoring his second goal of the match in the 55th minute. The captain’s brace took Nongkseh’s lead to 3–0 and strengthened their position as they continued to make the most of their attacking opportunities. Having failed to convert their first-half chances, Kuppuraj now faced a substantial deficit.
Nongkseh added another goal in the 58th minute through Ieitlang Syiemlieh. The quick succession of goals after the break extended Nongkseh’s advantage to 4–0 and left Kuppuraj with a difficult task if they were to get back into the contest.
With a four-goal cushion, Nongkseh made five substitutions, giving rest to key players with the upcoming matches in view. Substitute Shano Tariang tried to extend the home side’s lead with several long range shots but was denied by Kuppuraj custodian and some were off target.
The visitors nevertheless kept looking for a breakthrough and eventually found one in the 88th minute through Jaymz Bryan Pale.
The goal came after a costly mix-up in the Nongkseh defence. Kynsailang Khongsit attempted to pass the ball back to goalkeeper Wanteilang Malngiang, but Pale intercepted the pass before the goalkeeper could regain control. The Kuppuraj forward then outmanoeuvred Malngiang and found the net to reduce the deficit to 4–1.
The late goal offered Kuppuraj some consolation after a difficult second half, but there was little time left to mount a comeback.
Nongkseh followed this by intensifying their attack and made several attempts at the goal in the stoppage time, all of which were countered by Kuppuraj defence.
The competition continues on October 24 with Kuppuraj FC taking on Lakecity FC at 9 AM and Chhaygaon FC taking on Nongkseh S&CC at 5 PM.
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